Unilever empowers 22 Unilorites with start-up business kits
By Mustafa Abubakar
Twenty-two students of the University of Ilorin have received start-up business kits from Unilever Nigeria Plc under its Youth Empowerment Initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and self-reliance among Nigerian undergraduates.
The beneficiaries received the business kits during a presentation ceremony held at the University Auditorium , penultimate Friday (July 24, 2026), where representatives of Unilever encouraged them to make judicious use of the opportunity to establish sustainable businesses and become employers of labour.
The initiative is designed to equip students with practical resources and entrepreneurial support to enable them establish and manage small-scale businesses while pursuing their academic programmes and after graduation.
In their separate remarks at the event, Mr Shola Ajala, West Regional Sales Manager, Unilever Nigeria Plc.; Ms Chimdinma Nweke, Route to Market Lead, Lagos and West, Unilever Nigeria Plc.; and Mr Solomon Ibrahim, Territory Sales Manager, Ilorin/Ogbomosho, Unilever Nigeria Plc. , reaffirmed the commitment of the company to youth empowerment, innovation and sustainable development through strategic investments in education and entrepreneurship.
The company officials noted that empowering young people with entrepreneurial skills and business support remains one of the company’s key strategies for fostering economic growth and sustainable livelihoods.
The beneficiaries, who spread across 100 to 400 levels, include Akintelure Esther Jesutofunmi, Teniola Adeniyi Manfa’ah, Bello Fatimah Bolatumi, Maryam Hibatullah Abdulrahman, Yusuf Sofiat Ayomide, Olanase Islamiyah Oluwadamilola, Rahmot Salaudeen Faderera, Saoban Ramotallahi Olamide, Ameen Habeebah Ayomide, Bello Juwon Daniel, Adeniji Adeola Boluwatife, Covenant Oreofe Ajani, Olasupo Praise Eniola, Zainab Abdullahi Imam, Aaron Mercy Pelumi, Sofiat Yusuf, Asemota Oduwa, Oluwaseun Odunsi Gloria, Zubair Sekinat Ayomide, Lydia Omolade, and Abdulrasheed Fatima Omolara.
Responding on behalf of the University, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Morenikeji Alex Akanmu, expressed appreciation to Unilever Nigeria Plc for the thoughtful intervention.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of the company’s unwavering commitment to empowering young people and preparing them for productive lives beyond the classroom.
Dr Akanmu noted that the University of Ilorin places a high premium on entrepreneurship and skills acquisition as essential complements to academic excellence.
He urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by putting the business kits to productive use while serving as worthy ambassadors of both the University and Unilever.
He also called on other corporate organisations to emulate the laudable gesture of Unilever by partnering with the University in programmes that promote innovation, enterprise development and youth empowerment.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the students’ representatives, Akintelure Esther Jesutofunmi and Yusuf Sofiat Ayomide, expressed appreciation to Unilever Nigeria Plc for the life-changing opportunity, describing the empowerment initiative as timely and impactful.
He also thanked the University Management for facilitating the partnership, assuring both the University and Unilever that the beneficiaries would make effective use of the business kits to establish viable ventures and justify the confidence reposed in them.
