Table of Contents
Ideaslane Africa in collaboration with Edusko Africa presents it’s #50 Most Enterprising students in Nigeria list for 2018.
This list features 5O Nigerian students drawn from across Nigerian Campuses with diverse academic backgrounds who are creating innovative solutions to some of the problems facing their various immediate communities and Nigeria at large.
These young Nigerians defy the generally held view that people can’t start pursuing their dreams until after school.
Some of the students in this list are budding entrepreneurs, leaders, influencers, innovators and game-changers of our time.
They are changing the narrative and proving to the world that they’ve got what it takes to take Africa to where she desires.
- Olapejuola Jolaoso @Abebey__
Olapejuola is a student at the University of Ilorin where she is studying Geography and Environmental Management.
As a student, Peju has founded one of the fastest growing Organic based skin and hair care stores in Nigeria.
Her brand @Abebiorganics banks greatly on social media which serves as a medium with which the brand passes its message to its growing potential and existing customers.
According to peju, “All products are handmade and delivered with care and love.”
In the next few years, Olapeju wants her business to grow on a bigger scale with investors and products in major stores nationwide.
- Oluwatominsin Oseni @_miidee_
Tominsin is a 200level political science student of Covenant University.
She is a beauty and personal care specialist.
Her love for flawless and good looking skin inspired her to start her business. When asked where she sees herself in the next five years, Tominsin has this to say:
“In the next 5 years, I see my business being known and patronized both locally and internationally.
I see it having a building of its own and having branches across the globe in at least 5 other countries.”
- Abdulkareem Misturat Dolapo @recipesFromAfrika
Dolapo is a 200level student of Ahmadu Bello University studying Chemistry.
She is the owner of RecipesfromAfrika, a catering outfit that meets the nutrition need of an average Nigerian.
RecipesFromAfrika was inspired by Dolapo’s passion for quality and nutritious African recipes.
Dolapo wants to her business “as a brand that is recognized in Africa and the world as a whole in five years.”
- Anthony Oyakhilome Justice @mr_oyakhilome
Anthony, a 200level Mechanical Engineering student of the University of Portharcourt is an event planner and Founder of @SoundSenseiTV.
SoundsenseiTV is a media platform for all things music whereas, the event company caters to the concert and shows the need of up and coming artists.
Anthony has this to say about what inspired him to start,
“I’ve always had a love for music, even though my voice will never get me more than an auto-tune record.
I always wanted to work with those who are gifted enough to actually sing and I also found out that a lot of people lack the proper platform in my school to promote their talent.
With the music scene covered I knew I had to get the stage set for them to continue to show their talent to the world which means concert and shows.
This birthed the need for event coverage and an ace photographer. So I went in search and found a partner”.
“In five years’ time, I and my partner Daye Erekosima intend to make Sound Sensei Media a household name in event planning, coverage and with some hard work in the record label sphere too.”
- Tomike Alayande @tomike_a
Tomike Alayande studies Microbiology in one of Nigeria’s top Universities.
She is an Actor, entrepreneur, radio presenter and brand influencer. She presents a TV program with Ebony TV among other gigs.
Tomike is a nominee at the 2018 The Future Award Africa prize for OAP.
Find Amazing Internship & scholarship Opportunities weekly
- Onakoya Oluwafemi @at_phemi
Onokoya Olufemi is a student of Obafemi Awolowo University where he is currently studying Architecture.
Femi is a publicist, promoter and public relations person. He is the founder of OlufemiPR.
OlufemiPR is popular among OAU student as a brand that helps disseminate and promote growing brands and disseminates important information to the school community.
When asked about his dream for his startup in the next 5 years Femi was quite modest about it,
“I want to see OlufemiPR as a reliable brand that anyone can work with and to be sure to have a job well done.”
- Alayande Zainab @zeinny_crafts
Zainab Alayande is a student at the University of Lagos. She is a 200level student of Cell Biology and Genetics.
Zainab is one of Nigeria’s foremost female cobblers and CEO of one of the fastest growing shoe making companies in Nigeria, ZeinnyCratfs.
Her brand is very talked about and praised as one of the brands to look out for in the nearest future.
Love for these four things inspired Zainab to start: crafts, creativity, quality and being unique.
In five years’ time, Zainab wants to see her brand as “a global brand. A brand which is proudly rocked by prominent people and people that love and appreciate value.”
8. Akintade Ayomide @midefoluwa
Akintade Ayomide is a 300level Public Health Student of Osun State University.
Her company, @Myde_Concept is into shoe/sandals making, handmade customized throw pillows and packaging boxes.
She has a huge customer base among her fellow students and increasing getting expanding her client base.
Ayomide started out in 2013 to satisfy her curiosity about knowing how beautiful, handmade, art pieces are put together.
She is gradually nurturing her curiosity into a growing, sustainable and profitable business.
In an interview with Ayomide Akintade in 2017, she explained how she started entrepreneurship in school and shared valuable lessons with fellow students.
In the next five years, Ayomide wants to see “her dreams and visions about her business come to reality.
- Alimi Boluwatife @bolu_make_nail
Boluwa is a Nigerian student. She is a beautician who specializes in manicure and pedicure.
Her services her mobile and fast becoming one to reckon with.
Shop for Good Schools in Nigeria and abroad for free here
- Kolawole Timilehin @mrkiddah
Kolawole Timilehin is a graduating Accounting student of the University of Osun. He owns a brand media company, Wakanewz media.
Timilehin’s love for the media and the inspiration to be great in life moved him to establish his platform even as a student not waiting until he graduates.
In the next five years, Timilehin wants to see his brand as “a top-notch media brand that every individual or company will always want to work with”.
- Christabel Okorodudu @bellasignature_ @bellaawardrobe_ @ bellasproperties_
Christabel is a 300level Law student of the University of Lagos. She is the founder and CEO of a group of startup companies. She explains better about her business in her words,
“Bella’s signature is a brand. We have “The hairmpire” which was created to solidify the self-esteem of women through their hair. We have ‘The fashion store’ which was created to not only enlarge quality fashion awareness among the masses but to also give it to them at affordable prices. We have ‘Bella’s properties’ where we sell houses and lands for the long and short term.
In the next five years, Christabel wants to have a large physical store.
- Oni Bunmi Joshua @jislof
Oni Olubunmi Joshua is a Medical student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
He is a fashionista, fashion consultant and fashion influencer. He is a brand influencer for top brands in Nigeria.
25 Businesses to start in Nigeria in 2019 with little capital
- Abdulkadir Sa’ad @saadbluesea
Abdulkadir is a Building Technology student of the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state.
He is a Graphic artist and entertainer. He loves to impact the world with his talent and creativity.
- Fatoyinbo Olumide Caleb
Olumide is a student at Kogi State University where he studies History and International Studies.
He is the founder of Muse Couture @musecouture
Muse Couture is a fashion brand that deals with clothing for women. Muse Couture recently showcased their latest collection on the runway at the just concluded Nigerian Student Fashion And Design Week.
According to Olumide, the main focus of the brand is to make women source of inspiration to everyone around them.
In the next five years, Olumide wants to see her business becoming a household brand. She wants to have one of the best fashion studios in Nigeria.
- Amaka Ozoemena @Diva_ice
Amaka is a 400level student of Imo State University.
She is the founder of Harmonice Ateliers. Amaka loves it when one can create different styles just from a fabric and that’s what she does with her brand.
In the next five years, she wants to see her brand as a fashion empire.
- Ezzim Nkwachukwu Camillus @Iam_camillus
Camillus is a student of Federal University of technology Owerri where he studies Food Science and Technology. He runs a photography company @Camillus_photography.
He started the company in school after he had gathered enough money to buy a camera.
In five years, Camillus wants to be a proud owner of a photography studio.
- Ebuka Onyewuchi @justebuka
Ebuka Onyewuchi is a Biochemistry student of the Federal University of Technology Owerri.
He is a passionate photographer and has many great works to his credit.
- Coker Temitayo @c.t.glam
Temitayo Coker is a 400level student at Osun State University. She studies Computer Science. She is the founder of CT Glam a small business that makes affordable wigs for women.
- Babafemi Ayomide Stanley
Stanley studies Fisheries and aquaculture technology at the Federal University of Technology Akure.
He is a 500level student. He owns an entertainment business @campusslayer
His passion for entertainment is that moved him to start his business.
- Oduola Fatiah @missfatiah
Fatiah is a 500Level student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri where he studies Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Fatiah is the founder of SMIIK FOOD @smiik.food
SMIIK FOOD processes zobo ingredients into powdered form and packages it into filter bags. They finally package into packs for easy preparation and affordability of zobo drink. They serve the lovers of zobo drink.
When asked about SMIIK FOOD in the next 5 years, Fatiah says: “I see my business being rated number one rated company in Africa. I see my business blooming and flourishing due to hard work”.
- Edet unwana Edo
Edo is a student of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa where he is studying Science laboratory technology.
Edet has a story behind his business: “I lost papa in 2011, in 2015 after secondary school, life became very hard and I decided to discover myself. One day’s I stumbled on late Steve Job story and tough times made me realize there is no excuse for failure and I said Unwana, you must make an impact”.
Edet’s company writes articles and gives public speaking on lifestyle, career building and trending societal issues which help in shaping young ones to build a better tomorrow.
- Osi Osinachi E. @derriosi
Osi is a student of Federal University of Technology Owerri
He is studying Civil Engineering.
He owns a photography outlet that focuses on event coverage, outdoor and indoor photography – @doapictures.
When asked where he sees his business in the next five years, he has this to say:
“In the next five years, I see my business as one of the best photography outlets in the country and also have expanded into film production and directing”.
23 Ben-Osadolor Godcan @bennyaugust_
Ben is a 400 student of Electronic/electronics. He is the founder of Digitally Sound.
Digitally Sound is a pro bono startup (for now) that helps entrepreneurs engage their audience in the online sphere.
- Adebayo Taiwo @highnessfashionbrand.ng
Taiwo is a 400 student of Bowen University. He is studying Economics.
Taiwo has a fashion brand and an investment network platform @royalecapita.
Royale capital fund (www.royalecapitalfund.com) according to Taiwo “is a network of investors (Angel, venture capitalist, lenders and private equity firms) keen to invest in early-stage businesses which have potential to create disproportionate value.
Royale capital fund provides funds, support, as well as constant, assess to high quality mentoring, vast network, provides support in acquiring seed-funding or secure a loan from various sources”.
When asked what inspired him to start this platform in 2018, Taiwo said, “I wanted to solve the problem of fundraising for Africa entrepreneurs and start-ups”.
In the next five years, he wants to grow this platform into a multi-national one.
- Damilola Nelson Ekundayo
Nelson is a 200level Fisheries and aquatic biology student of Lagos State University.
He is the founder of NelsonFarms Company.
Nelson farms deals in fish farm, snail farm, glasscutter and cash crop.
Nelson was inspired to start NelsonFarm because “It has been a dream I have to become the youngest mechanized farmer in Nigeria and to reduce food scarcity in the nation and to help the needy”.
He wants to be able to attract right investors to his business in five years’ time.
- Olaniyi Emmanuel @imaz_signature
Olaniyi studies Economics at University of Uyo, Nigeria. He is in 300level.
He is the CEO of Imaz Signature Events an event decoration brand.
Niyi was inspired to start an event company because he never liked begging. Unlike many young people, he got admission into the university as an orphan an had to start doing something that will help foot his bills
He came up with an even decoration idea due to his interest in it and today, the business is growing while his study is in progress.
- Akin Faminu @akinfaminu
Akin Faminu graduated earlier in 2018 from the University of Lagos where he studied medicine.
While in school, Akin Faminu excellently combined the demands of a medical student and the expectations of a budding fashion influencer without letting the pursuit of both hinder either.
The fashion enthusiast graduated as at when due and succeeded in building a promising career for himself from his campus.
He is one of the youngest men’s style fashion bloggers in Nigeria and brand influencer for some top youth-oriented brands.
STUDY ABROAD – STUDY IN TOP UK, USA, CANADA UNIVERSITIES
- Ebuka Ike-Mgbechi @ebuka_mic
Ebuka is one of the youngest and finest MCs and comedians in Nigeria.
He is an ICE student of Covenant University.
Having realized how easily he brought laughter to the cheeks of his classmates in primary school days, Ebuka started his first comedy show in JSS 3.
A few years later, he got admission into Covenant University and the Ebuka Mic, a comedy and Mc brand was born. The rest as they say is ……
- Ugokwe Esther @miz_kachy
Ugokwe Esther is a business-oriented, Ig savvy and multi-talented young Nigerian student.
She is a social media enthusiast who loves to motivate fellow students and young people to use their social media platforms to make business moves.
Esther, also known as Kachy is a ‘caker’ and owner of @bakesndelishng .
- Ifedayo Omoleye @ifedayo.x
Ifedayo Omoleye graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife-Ife in 2018 where he studied psychology.
While in school, Dayo established one of the most creative photography outlets on his campus.
- Okoye Ruth Mmesomachukwu @_soma_skincare
Okeye Ruth, better known as Soma is a student of the Enugu State University of Technology.
She is a skincare expert and Oriflame consultant.
She uses her skills to help other young people learn how to become skin care consultant.
- Joshua Achonwa @jae_of_portharcour
Joshua Achinwa is a style influencer, fashion presenter and fashion analyst.
He is an Engineering student at the University of Portharcourt and the Chief Creative Officer of the fashion service brand, InstyleSeries.
The company offers event consultancy, styling services and publicity coverage for fashion events.
Jae Wilder as he is better known on social media has styled some celebrities and entertainers in Nigeria.
- Jemima Osunde @jemimaosunde
Jemima is physiotherapy student of the University of Lagos.
She is one of the youngest and talented actors the Nigerian movie industry has produced in recent years.
Jemima has appeared in award-winning movies and series like MTV Shuga where she played the role of a school girl, Laila.
She is also in “Rumour Has It”, a 2018 series for NdaniTV.
Jemima also doubles as influencer and brand ambassador for some top brands in Nigeria.
STUDY ABROAD – STUDY IN TOP UK, USA, CANADA UNIVERSITIES
- David Oluwatobiloba Adeyemi @innovative_david
David Oluwatobiloba Adeyemi graduated from Ajayi Crowther University in 2018. He is an innovator, a speaker and an ecopreneur.
While in school, David joined the Students for Liberty Group and became the representative and ambassador for many international organizations and championed many laudable causes which won him several awards and recognition.
Before graduating from school, David launched his start-up, Ecogenic Solutions,
Ecogenic Solution is a startup that is actively involved in creating solutions to ecological and environmental problems thereby making them fit and safe for humanity.
David is a leapAfrica Fellow.
- Akinola Oluwaseun Esther @thatflawlesschic
Esther is a Mass Communication student of Covenant University. She is a Makeup Artist and presenter.
She owns a makeup training and product sales outfit, Flawless Artistry.
- Taofeek Olalekan Afeez and Alayande Abdulwaheed Abiola
Afeez and Abiola alongside other students from Nigeria participated in 2018 Microsoft Imagine Cup. But these two got to the finalist stage of the competition.
The two undergraduates of Physics Electronics and Electrical Electronics had jointly formed TEAM TREP and presented a solution called Real Drip – a device that reduces the risk of blood clot or deep vein thrombosis.
The non-invasive device monitors the flow of intravenous fluid during IV treatment and notifies medical staff in real time.
Microsoft Imagine Cup Nigeria is held annually by Microsoft Corporation for undergraduate students with the aim of helping students solve world challenges and in turn help bridge the unemployment gap in the country.
- Queeneth Adetunji
Queeneth is a 200level student of Univerisity of Lagos.
She is a fashion designer, writer, content creator and budding poet.
- Ike Nathaniel Chiaggozie @nathrichboi
Nath is a final year student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
He is the founder of one of the largest media outlets, @OAUTrends.
- Opeoluwa Bankole @dellaz_artistry
Opeoluwa graduated from Yaba College of Education, Lagos in 2018.
She is an educator, Makeup artist and CEO of Dellaz Artistry.
Opeoluwa picked interest in makeup from observing her mum’s makeup products as a girl.
In an interview with Opeoluwa Bankole in April 2018, she bares it all on how she started making money from beautifying her colleagues.
- Agboola Venmak
Agoola Venmark is a student of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).
He is a Dick Jockey.
In 2018, he broke a Guinness world record for the longest marathon club DJ-ing. Before him, Norbert Selmaj (or Norberto Loco), a Polish DJ had played for 200 hours setting the record.
Venmak, popularly known as DJ Venum, broke Norbert ’s record and became the World’s Longest Playing DJ after playing music non-stop for a whopping 15 days from 10:40 pm on August 1, 2018.
This comes after two Nigerian DJs, DJ Obi and DJ Neo, attempted to break the record in 2016 and early 2018 respectively.
- Fisayo Bamidele @imasque_
Fisayo is a final year student of Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife.
He owns a photography and graphic design business that serves his campus and its environs.
Fisayo started the business as a result of an entrepreneurship program hosted by his school some time ago.
He hopes to grow his business into a household name soon.
- Oluwatosin @House_of_Rheevo
Tosin studied law at Obafemi Awolowo, Ile Ife. She is a pro makeup artist beauty tutor.
She is arguably one of the most sought-after makeup artists to have come out of Ile-Ife and it doesn’t look like she is stopping just there.
Tosin has been able to combine her law degree with growing a sustainable beauty business successfully over the years.
- Tokunbo Olabode @labarihubonline
Tokunbo is a co-founder of Labarihub.com, an entertainment and news blog in Nigeria and a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Labiruhub is also a P.R, publicist and digital marketing brand.
Despite school workload and numerous challenges of running a blog in Nigeria, Tokun and his co-founder continue to grow the platform proving valuable contents to their growing youth audience.
- Felik Nwankwo @labiruhubonline
Felix is a co-founder of Labarihub.com, an entertainment and news blog in Nigeria.
Labiruhub is also a P.R, publicist and digital marketing brand.
Despite school workload and numerous challenges of running a blog in Nigeria, Tokun and his co-founder continue to grow the platform proving valuable contents to their growing youth audience.
- Ezenwa Chukwuemeka @sharpywmmy_movement
Chukwuemeka is the founder and Creative Director of The Sharpy Emmy Movement, a graphics/brand design company that caters for the creative needs of brands across diverse industries.
He launched his brand in 2015 and since then has provided effective solutions to top brands who are his client base.
- Folashade Ariyike @ariyikecouture
Folashade is a student of Agriculture at the University Ilorin, Nigeria. She is the creative director of Ariyike Couture @ariyikecouture.
We had a fantastic interview with her sometime in 2017 where she opens up on how it all started.
- Chineye Agbim @chineyeagbim
Chineye is Geologist and blogger.
Chineye has always wanted a way to express herself even as a child. She uses the medium of her blog to give voice to arts, photography, style and everything in-between.
- Abolade Akinola @mrlilgaga_dot
Akinola studies Linguistics and Communications at Osun State University.
He is an entertainer, OAP, MC/Compere, Actor and Skit maker.
Akinola started out simply to pursue his passion and make a living.
He wants to see his brand in greater heights in coming years.
- . Ben-Osadolor Godcan @bennyaugust_
Ben is a 400 student of Electrical/electronics. He is the founder of Digitally Sound.
Digitally Sound is a pro bono startup (for now) that helps entrepreneurs engage their audience in the online sphere.
5o. Babalola Bolajoke @mz_bolajoko
Bolajoko is a graduating student (2018) of Adekunle Ajasin University.
She is an award-winning model and fashion enthusiast.
She won the Face Glam Queen 2017 among others.
See all featured student entrepreneurs from Nigeria
Follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration
