Southeast Business Growth Conference 2025
Panelists and judges at the Southeast Business Growth Conference
In a region with no shortage of ideas or ambition, the SouthEast Business Growth Conference arrived not just as an event—but as a powerful movement for change.
Organized by the Ike-Elechi Ogba Foundation, the conference brought together emerging business owners, seasoned entrepreneurs, public officials, and development partners for a full day of inspiration, practical learning, and financial empowerment. Held at Ryan Hotel in Abakaliki, the event proved that when young people are given both knowledge and resources, remarkable things happen.
Empowering the Next Generation
The SouthEast Business Growth Fund—an initiative of the Foundation—was created to support entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 with the knowledge, tools, and capital they need to grow and scale their businesses. This conference was the knowledge arm of that mission: to educate, to inspire, and to connect.
Opening the event, Mrs. Chioma Ike-Elechi who shared the foundation’s vision and invited attendees to “help us build the future of the Southeast.” She emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between citizens, institutions, and the government to build a thriving business ecosystem.
Founder & Chairman of the Ike-Elechi Ogba Foundation and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Ebonyi State University, Professor Ike-Elechi Ogba, delivered a compelling keynote speech, calling for renewed commitment to youth empowerment. He reminded the audience that entrepreneurship has long been a way of life for the Southeast and that it’s time to reignite that legacy.
Goodwill Messages
The conference welcomed goodwill messages from key government officials and stakeholders who affirmed the role of youth-led enterprise in national development.
Prof. Leonard C. Uguru, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, encouraged young entrepreneurs to remain grounded in their identity:
“Your language is your culture—don’t lose it. And use this grant wisely so that by next year, it’ll be tripled.”
Hon. Chidi Onyia, Commissioner for Solid Mineral Development, emphasized the need to shift from political dependency to productive entrepreneurship:
“If we focus on entrepreneurship, the future of our youths is bright.”
Mr. Chuka Egwu, trustee of the Ike-Elechi Ogba Foundation, urged participants to embrace discipline and resilience as key parts of their entrepreneurial journey:
“The most important person in business is you. You have to be disciplined, you have to know what you want, and you have to be serious about it. Don’t be fooled—every successful entrepreneur has failed at some point. You must be willing to work, learn a skill, and grow.”
Learning from Those Who’ve Walked the Path
One of the most engaging segments of the conference was the panel session featuring experienced Southeast entrepreneurs who shared honest insights about their business journeys. Panelists included:
Maryann Omege (Mimsbeautilocks)
Genevieve Egwu-Oti (Vig Wigs & Stores)
Kenneth Mbadiwe (SuccessCity Realty)
Amaka Anyaegbu (Nepearls Clothing & Fashion Academy)
From building customer trust to surviving tough seasons, their advice resonated deeply with the young entrepreneurs in the room.
Business Pitch, Real Impact
Ten finalists selected from a competitive pool had the opportunity to pitch their businesses live to a judging panel made up of industry experts from across the region. The energy was electric.
Judges included:
Hyacinth Orji (QuickWaka)
Ifeoma Ezechukwu (Kitchen Pastries)
Nwanneka Eke (Alpha Brooks Energy)
Okechukwu Victor Agozie (Listacc Tech Academy, SchoolCater & Accave)
Each pitch highlighted not just business models, but purpose driven to local problems, a commitment to impact, and the grit to keep pushing forward.
At the end of the session, five entrepreneurs were awarded ₦500,000 each:
Jidechukwu Nwabueze – Jelapetra Farms Ltd
Gideon Fidelis Ekom – RentBetaHouse Nigeria Ltd
Blessing Nweke – Especial Naturals
Chinyeaka Elom – Mebembe Farms
Ogechi Nwonye – Eco-cyclers
And in a beautiful show of solidarity, the judges and Hon. Chidi Onyia, Commissioner for Solid Mineral Development rallied together to ensure that every finalist walked away with funding. One additional finalist, Success Egba of Success Nation, received a personal ₦150,000 contribution from the judges, and the remaining five were each given ₦100,000 by the Commissioner for Solid Mineral Development.
Public Sector Panel: Insights and Collaboration Opportunities
The panel session featuring representatives from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Ebonyi State SME Development Agency offered an engaging and highly practical dialogue. Panelists shared clear, hands-on guidance on accessing government-backed funding, complying with tax and regulatory requirements, and building sustainable, structured enterprises.
More importantly, the session opened the door for future collaborations between the Ike-Elechi Ogba Foundation and the represented agencies, paving the way for continued support and stronger systems for small business growth in the region.
Attendees left the session informed and inspired, equipped with actionable next steps to strengthen their businesses and connect with the support available to them.
A Spirit of Community and Continuity
The networking session created space for attendees to exchange contacts, share ideas, and begin conversations that could spark future collaborations. Many also signed the conference’s impact wall which marked their presence and showed their commitment to building something bigger than themselves. It was a moment of unity, energy, and purpose.
A New Chapter Begins
The inaugural SouthEast Business Growth Conference planted seeds that will grow long after the last speech. It affirmed our commitment as a Foundation to supporting communities to thrive with knowledge, identity and innovation..
This is only the beginning.
Prof Ike-Elechi Ogba and the winners of the 500,000 naira grant at the Southeast Business Growth Fund
