The Ultimate Destiny Uplifters Foundation (UDUF Africa), has awarded a total of N5 million in business grants to five emerging entrepreneurs at the 2026 Under45CEOs Business and Leadership Summit held in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The grants, which saw each of the five finalists receive N1 million, were presented during the Pitch and Win Contest at the sixth edition of the summit held at the Youth Development Centre, Emos Best Street, Federal Housing Estate, 3-3, Onitsha.
The summit, organised under the theme, “Rethinking Entrepreneurship,” brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, innovators and aspiring business owners for discussions on enterprise development, leadership, networking and sustainable economic growth.
The initiative was designed to encourage participants to identify opportunities in everyday challenges, develop innovative business solutions and build enterprises capable of creating jobs and contributing to the development of the economy.
Speakers dwelt on how mindset change could help entrepreneurs scale-up emphasizing the importance of visibility through social media in today’s world.
The Pitch and Win Contest initially provided N1 million for the first-place winner and N500,000 for the second-place winner, making a total of N1.5 million.
However, the intervention of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Janksmay Global Services Limited, Mr Ifeanyi Onwuachu, significantly expanded the funding opportunity.
Impressed by the quality, scalability and growth potential of the businesses presented by the finalists, Mr Onwuachu donated an additional N3.5 million, bringing the total grant to N5 million.
The additional funding made it possible for all five finalists to receive equal grants of N1 million each, rather than limiting the financial support to the first and second-place winners.
The gesture was widely regarded as a significant boost to the participating entrepreneurs, providing them with capital to strengthen their operations, expand their businesses and pursue sustainable growth.
Speaking on the initiative, founder UDUF AFRICA, Dr. Ezuma Smart Chinedu said the intervention represented an investment in businesses with the potential to create employment, address societal challenges and contribute to economic development.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to ensure that the funds were used strictly for the purposes for which they were provided.
According to him, the grants should be viewed not merely as financial assistance but as an opportunity and responsibility for the beneficiaries to prove the viability of their business ideas.
He challenged them to remain disciplined, accountable and focused on building sustainable enterprises that could eventually create employment opportunities for others.
“The true success of the grant will not be measured only by the money received, but by the businesses built, the jobs created and the lasting impact achieved,” he said.
Ezuma commended UDUF Africa, under the leadership of its Continental President, Uplifter Christopher Uchenna, for providing a platform that promotes entrepreneurship, leadership development and youth empowerment.
He also appreciated Mr Onwuachu for his N3.5 million contribution, describing the gesture as a demonstration of confidence in the capacity of young entrepreneurs to build successful and sustainable businesses.
He said the intervention showed how private-sector leaders could complement the efforts of service organisations and development foundations in promoting entrepreneurship, employment creation and economic growth.
One of the judges at the Pitch and Win Contest, Rtn. Ugoo Abba of the Department of Public Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Club Trainer of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, commended the finalists for demonstrating the value and potential of their businesses.
Abba encouraged the beneficiaries to use the additional capital strategically to improve their operations and achieve sustainable growth.
He stressed the need for the entrepreneurs to translate their ideas into measurable value and justify the confidence and investment placed in them.
Some of the speakers Include Iyom Joy Egolum, Corporate Affairs Manager (East) Nigerian Breweries Plc: Dr Olisa Ewuzie, GGM,Dozzy Group, Mr Ifeanyi Onwuachu,CEO Janksmay Global Services Ltd: Dr Ezekiel Solesi,CEO LIMBsimple:Arch. Chukky Ezenwa, CEO GSS Group:Dr Ella Ezeadilieje: popular Comedian, Ogbuefi I go tuk and others.
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