As part of efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria's social enterprise and development ecosystem, the Luminary Project has announced up to ₦6 million in impact funding support for selected social innovators. The announcement was made in Lagos recently at the third edition of the Luminary Awards, where ten changemakers were recognised for their contributions across education, healthcare, sustainability, youth empowerment, community development, and social innovation.
Beyond Recognition: Tangible Support for Grassroots Innovators
The funding initiative is designed to move beyond mere recognition by providing tangible support to grassroots innovators tackling critical social challenges. In her speech, Executive Director of The Luminary Project, Napa Onwusah, identified inadequate funding as a challenge confronting organisations across the country. According to her, 'the Luminary Project exists because Nigeria's most credible changemakers are rarely the most visible ones.'
Three Funding Streams for Maximum Impact
Speaking further, Onwusah disclosed that the organisation currently operates three funding streams targeted at different categories of social impact organisations. The first impact fund is dedicated to top-performing changemakers within the Luminary Awards cohort, while the second supports alumni beneficiaries through periodic funding rounds. A third fund, she explained, is designed to support non-governmental organisations beyond the Luminary network. She added, 'What we need is funding to be able to deploy more resources to our changemakers. We also need visibility to ensure people understand what we are doing and can hold us accountable. Beyond that, we need experienced professionals in the impact space to support and mentor emerging Non-Governmental Organisations.'
Private Sector Collaboration Takes Center Stage
The event drew participation from representatives of major organisations including MTN, Amazon Web Services, and the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative, reflecting growing collaboration between the private sector and social impact organisations. Beyond the awards, the event reinforced the importance of visibility, collaboration, and support for changemakers building solutions across the country.
Call for Strategic Partnerships
The organisers also called on individuals, organisations, institutions, and development partners to actively support the work of grassroots changemakers across the country through funding, collaboration, mentorship, visibility, and strategic partnerships capable of driving long-term social transformation. The Luminary Project continues to champion the cause of social innovation, ensuring that credible changemakers receive the resources and recognition they deserve to create lasting impact in their communities.
