…As Enactus Nigeria marks 25th Anniversary
For the second year running, the team from the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Benue State, have emerged the national champion of Enactus Nigeria entrepreneurship challenge.
Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University team’s BettaCoal Energies project focuses on transforming the local cooking industry in rural communities by producing smokeless briquettes, improved stoves, and bio-plastic packaging was adjudged the best at the 2025 competition. It was also adjudged the best in the 2024 edition of the competition.
The team from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, for emerging as the National champion, will be representing Nigeria and competing with other national champion teams at the Enactus World Cup 2025 in Thailand.
This year also Enactus Nigeria successfully celebrated its 25th anniversary of empowering students through entrepreneurial action and social impact.
Speaking at the grand finale of the competition and 25th anniversary of the organisation, Michael Ajayi, country director, Enactus Nigeria said the programme was organised not only to showcase the culmination of months of dedication, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial action from teams, but also an opportunity to pause to reflect on the remarkable journey of Enactus Nigeria over the past quarter of a century.
“From humble beginnings in the year 2000, we have grown into a vibrant, nationwide network of over 1,700 active change-makers in 35 tertiary institutions, annually, young leaders who are solving real problems, lifting communities, and redefining what it means to lead with purpose,” he said.
According to him, for 25 years, Enactus Nigeria has been an incubation hub for bold ideas and a launchpad for the next generation of socially conscious business leaders. With over 35,000 students impacted over the years and countless communities transformed through sustainable, entrepreneurial solutions, we have much to celebrate and even more to aspire to.
He pointed out that this year’s National Competition is more than just a contest. It is a celebration of vision, tenacity, and values. It is a showcase of what is possible when young minds are empowered to see opportunity in every challenge and to act boldly in service of others.
Ajayi further said that Enactus students are better equipped to face the real world even when they are still in school. With over 40,000 alumni from inception, Enactus Nigeria has done enormously well in fostering human capital development. The evidence is seen in the successes recorded by Enactus Nigeria Alumni, whether as employees or as entrepreneurs.
The country director said the National competition provided the opportunity for teams to showcase the work they are doing in their local communities to lead change to address problems that affect people; empower people, businesses and communities to succeed and thrive.
It also provided the opportunity to challenge the students and the public to be more involved, be a part of the solutions and lead enduring change in communities across the country.
The highlight of the 25th anniversary was the recognition of corporate organisations, alumni and special Friends of Enactus Nigeria.
Ibrahim Garba, former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, won the Institutional Administrator Award in honour of his exceptional administrative support, advocacy, and commitment to fostering an enabling environment for Enactus projects to thrive within and beyond the academic community.
Fagbohun Michael bagged the Most Impactful Alumnus Award for his post-Enactus journey that exemplifies the values of leadership, innovation, and social impact, serving as a beacon of inspiration to the Enactus network and beyond.
Other awards presented included the Legacy Pillar Award, presented in recognition of longstanding commitment and foundational contributions to the growth and impact of Enactus Nigeria.
The Changemaker Collaboration Award is presented in recognition of outstanding partnership and joint efforts in driving youth-led social innovation and sustainable development with Enactus Nigeria.
The Catalyst Partner Award is presented to organisations in honour of key enablers of transformative youth enterprise and community impact through strategic support and collaboration with Enactus Nigeria.
The Friends of Enactus Nigeria Award is presented in appreciation of unwavering goodwill, encouragement, and consistent support that have significantly contributed to the mission and milestones of Enactus Nigeria.
