The CEO Apprentice is a programme created by BusinessDay to encourage Nigerian teenagers to ignite their inner entrepreneurial spirit. The 2017 CEO Apprentice hosted 45 teenagers between ages 13 and 19, for a week programme, at The Microsoft Nigeria Offices in Victoria Island.
During the one-week training, the teenagers had access to practical business workshops, mentorship and overall exposure to what it means to conceptualise and follow through on a business idea.
As part of the programme, the young CEO’s had the opportunity to travel to Ogun State to visit the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. Not only did they had the opportunity to visit the monumental library, but also had the chance to meet former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The former President encouraged the young CEOs and gave them valuable business advice.
On the last day of the competition, the 45 young CEOs gathered at WorkStation Nigeria in Victoria Island, to pitch their business idea to a panel of carefully selected business owners and investors. The judges, who included members of the Lagos Angel Network, judged the seven groups on feasibility, originality and pitching ability.
After some deliberation, the judges chose team “Follow Follow’ as the winner of the 2017 CEO apprentice. ‘Follow Follow’ is a fashion app that allows users take a picture of a fashion item, and with the use of technology, the application will be able to inform the user, as to where they can purchase the specific item of clothing. The business idea was invented by Daniella Andrews.
On September 7, 2017, the winning team “Follow Follow’ and their families were invited to the Nigerian Stock exchange for a private tour and the exciting opportunity to experience a ‘closing gong’ ceremony. The ceremony was recorded live on CNBC Africa and team Follow Follow was welcomed by NSE staff and taken on private tour by Ade Bajomo, executive director of the NSE for Market Operations and Technology.
Also present was Frank Aigbogun, publisher of BusinessDay newspaper, and executive director of Digital Service, Vwoke Ighure, as well as other BusinessDay staff.
“BusinessDay is a company that is constantly breaking boundaries. We are proud of this initiative and efforts aimed at encouraging Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy among Nigerian youths,” Bajomo said.
For more information on the CEO Apprentice Africa please follow @businessdayng on social media and keep up with our updates.
