The bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria was abuzz with excitement on Saturday, April 12th, 2025, as Layal Jade Tinubu and the Noella Foundation hosted the second edition of Be Empowered. This transformative event drew over one hundred and fifty (150) guests for a day-long summit dedicated to uplifting women-led businesses.
A staggering number of applications poured in for this year’s program, exceeding two thousand five hundred (2,500). After a meticulous selection process, two hundred (200) passionate business owners were chosen to participate in the summit. The top five (5) finalists had the opportunity to pitch their innovative ventures before a distinguished panel of judges on Thursday, April 10th, 2025.
During the summit, the atmosphere was electric as Layal Jade Tinubu proudly announced nine (9) deserving winners. While some emerged victorious from the intense pitch session, others were selected based on their compelling applications. To extend support even further, an additional eleven (11) participants were surprised with grants post-event, bringing the total number of grant recipients to twenty (20).
In a heartfelt welcome address at Be Empowered, Layal Jade Tinubu shared her deep-rooted commitment to empowering women in business. She expressed how these financial grants serve as vital tools for female entrepreneurs to kickstart their ventures, keep them running smoothly, and propel them towards unprecedented growth.
The summit itself was a melting pot of inspiration and knowledge-sharing. Esteemed speakers like Elizabeth Isiorho – Founder of BETH Model Management and Ibiyinka Ibru – CEO and Lead Financial Advisor at Moneystart graced the stage with valuable insights. A captivating fireside chat featuring Layal Tinubu shed light on her entrepreneurial journey – navigating through corporate life transitions while juggling family responsibilities.
Returning grant recipients from the 2024 edition took center stage to recount how Be Empowered had been a game-changer for their businesses. They emphasized how not only the funding but also an intensive bootcamp experience equipped them with essential skills to enhance operations efficiency and pursue growth strategies with renewed clarity.
This year’s cohort of twenty (20) grant winners underwent an immersive five-week bootcamp that marked the culmination of their Be Empowered journey. The rigorous program delved into strategic planning techniques, financial management best practices, operational efficiency strategies, and long-term scalability frameworks – all led by industry experts.
By seamlessly blending financial assistance with a holistic learning experience through initiatives like Be Empowered,
Layal Tinubu is steadfastly raising the bar for entrepreneurship development among Nigerian women in business – leaving an indelible mark on each participant’s entrepreneurial trajectory.
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