In a significant move for economic development in the Niger Delta, twenty emerging entrepreneurs from Ogoniland have been selected to receive a substantial business support fund totalling ₦200 million. This landmark initiative is the personal commitment of Ogoni-born philanthropist and businessman, Chief Lesi Maol.
A Strategic Investment, Not Charity
The announcement served as the centrepiece of the Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit, held on 30 December 2025 at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park in Bane. Chief Maol, the CEO of Giolee Global Resources Ltd, clarified that the funding is a deliberate strategy, not an act of charity. He stated its goal is to cultivate a new generation of business leaders who can create jobs, drive innovation, and stimulate broad economic growth across the region.
"We cannot continue to survive on sympathy or subsistence. Wealth creation is the only sustainable weapon against poverty," Maol told a captivated audience. "When you empower one entrepreneur, you empower families, communities and generations." He challenged Ogoni youths to shift their mindset from dependency to productivity, emphasising that true development springs from financial stability and intentional investment in human capital.
Addressing Gaps and Building an Ecosystem
Chief Maol identified a critical gap for Ogoni youth: while they are naturally gifted and resilient, they have historically lacked structure, mentorship, and access to opportunity. The summit was designed to bridge these gaps. "This summit is about unlocking the greatness already inside our people," he said, highlighting Ogoni's enormous untapped potential.
Drawing a powerful parallel, he pointed to the success of the Nnewi mentorship and enterprise model. "Nnewi did not become prosperous by accident. They invested in people and mentored the young. Ogoni can do even better if we are disciplined and intentional," Maol added. He framed the summit as the pilot phase of a long-term initiative aimed at building a sustainable ecosystem for mentorship, enterprise development, and leadership in Ogoniland.
Broad Support and Additional Commitments
The event garnered widespread support, attracting stakeholders from business, finance, academia, governance, and community leadership. Sessions focused on practical skills, idea generation, and turning knowledge into actionable plans.
In a further commitment to institutional development, Chief Maol also announced a separate ₦20 million support fund for Capital and Ogoni TV. He stressed the vital role of strong media platforms and education in shaping prosperous societies.
The initiative was hailed as a "game changer" by Mr. Magnus Kpakol, former Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo. Kpakol commended Maol for leading by example and promoted his Full Local Ownership (FLOW) model, advocating entrepreneurship over dependency.
Dr. Henry Kpunee, Chairman of the Organising Committee, noted the summit's design to shift youth from dependency to productivity. Similarly, Dr. Friday Baridoo, Secretary of the Planning Committee, described the intervention as rare and transformative, urging participants to apply the lessons with discipline.
The summit concluded with a powerful vision from Chief Maol: "Ogoni’s economic rise will not be imported. It must be driven by our people, our ideas, and our resolve to succeed." This ₦200 million fund marks a concrete step towards realizing that self-driven prosperity.
