CSR Education News

150 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WIN N20M GROOMING RESEARCH UNIVERSITY GRANT

The 2024 Edition of the Grooming Centre University Grant Scheme came to a successful conclusion on the 15th of November 2024, in Lagos State, marking another significant milestone in the Centre’s ongoing mission to support students’ educational journeys.
This year, over 150 applicants were selected as winners, including 100 undergraduate students and 50 postgraduate students, each receiving ₦100,000 to further their academic pursuits. The award ceremony was a joyous occasion, celebrating the hard work, determination, and excellence of the winners.
The University Grant Scheme continues to play a pivotal role in promoting research, innovation and supporting students in their academic pursuits.

News Talent Hunt

GROOMING TALENT HUNT’S 6TH EDITION HOLDS IN LAGOS

The Grooming Talent Hunt, an annual competition designed to empower youths and uncover exceptional talents, marked its 6th edition on November 23, 2024, in Lagos. This event has consistently served as a platform for young Nigerians to showcase their creativity and potentials in a supportive and celebratory environment. 

This year, over 215 participants competed, with 11 outstanding finalists captivating the audience at the grand finale. Kreatures Dance Crew emerged the winners, dazzling the judges with their incredible performance and earning the grand prize of ₦1.5 million. In the 1st runner-up position was Farounbi Benjamin, a gifted singer whose powerful performance earned him a prize of ₦900,000, while Omojehwo Hannah, another talented vocalist, secured the 2nd runner-up spot, taking home ₦600,000. The event was a joyful celebration of talent and artistry, filled with unforgettable performances that showcased the richness and diversity of Nigerian youth creativity.

News Press Release

GET HOLDS GET ACCELERATED AWARDS – 5 STARTUPS RECEIVE EQUITY FREE FUNDING

On December 14, 2024, the Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) celebrated the successful conclusion of its third Accelerated Cohort with a grand award ceremony in Lagos. This milestone reaffirms GET’s commitment to driving entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria. The 2024 cohort, under the theme “Building for Growth,” saw 10 promising startups participating in the accelerator program, with 5 finalists awarded ₦10 million each from a ₦55 million equity-free funding pool.

The comprehensive accelerator experience included tailored mentorship, workshops, and masterclasses, empowering founders with essential tools for growth. Additionally, they gained access to GET’s expansive ecosystem and its global network of partners.

The startups in this year’s cohort spanned diverse sectors, including gaming, filmmaking, and mobility. The program’s impact went beyond just financial support. In a continued effort to drive growth, GET has committed to quarterly check-ins for all the winners to track their progress and provide ongoing mentorship. Furthermore, 5 non-finalist startups were each granted ₦2 million to further fuel their development.

Adaobi Okafor, Chairperson of GET, highlighted the crucial role entrepreneurship plays in economic growth:
“We are proud to support startups from a variety of industries. This program is designed to fuel their growth, helping them scale and create jobs, which is central to our mission. Our alumni, such as MyFoodAngel and MySmallChops.ng, have achieved remarkable success, proving the immense potential of Nigerian entrepreneurs.”

As GET continues to foster innovation, this cohort stands as a testament to Nigeria’s thriving startup ecosystem and the importance of collaborative support in driving long-term success.

CSR Community News

GET COMPASS AWARDS 2024: TRAINS & FUNDS 15 STARTUPS

The Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) concluded the third edition of its GET Compass Awards on September 12, 2024. This year’s program drew an impressive 3,770 business applications, highlighting the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive of Nigerian business owners.

In line with its mission to foster sustainable growth, GET organized two weeks of intensive business workshops and advisory sessions for the 15 finalists, facilitated by the Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM). Finalists received funding ranging from x-x for their start u projects. Since its inception, the GET Compass Awards have empowered 26 SMEs with funding and capacity-building support, reinforcing Grooming Centre’s commitment to driving economic growth and entrepreneurship.

The GET Compass Awards stand as a testament to Grooming Centre’s dedication to creating an enabling environment where SMEs can collaborate, innovate, and achieve long term success.

Education News

AMADEUS UNIVERSITY OPENS IN AMIZI, ABIA STATE WELCOMES PIONEER STUDENTS

On October 28, 2024, Amadeus University celebrated a historic milestone as she welcomed her pioneer students and they registered to begin their academic journey. Grooming Centre’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Amadeus University, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, and officials of the University, led by the Vice Chancellor Professor M. Nzotta were on hand to receive the students at the University’s Welcome Centre and later hosted them to an inaugural dinner at the University’s guest house.

Committed to delivering quality education and fostering opportunities for both personal and academic growth, Amadeus University stands to shape a generation of 21st century leaders and innovators.
Admissions are still ongoing! Prospective students, parents, and guardians are encouraged to seize the opportunity to join Amadeus University and become part of a transformative educational experience that equips students from the classroom to boardroom for success in a dynamic world.

News Press Release

GROOMING CENTRE PARTNERS WITH WOMEN’S WORLD BANKING TO LAUNCH SMARTBIZ PLATFORM

In June 2024, we partnered with Women’s World Banking (WWB) to launch the SmartBiz platform, a cloud-based solution designed to support micro-women entrepreneurs. This innovative platform offers self-service tools for easy access to loans, repayments, and other non-financial services. The collaboration, which runs through November 2025, aims to drive business growth, increase revenue for women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), and create jobs. The partnership underscores our commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, reducing loan processing times, and empowering women entrepreneurs with the resources to scale their businesses. Staff participation and support are crucial to the success of this initiative, marking a significant step in our mission to foster economic growth and social development.

CSR Community News

GROOMING REWARDS, EMPOWERS 386 LOYAL CLIENTS AT ANNUAL SPLASH EVENT

8 June 2024, Nigeria:  386 of our clients from 32 states were pleasantly surprised by Grooming at the 13th annual edition of the Grooming Centre Splash with prizes such as commercial tricycles (keke), deep freezers, double-door refrigerators, and generators, among others.  Excitement and anticipation filled the air as over 200 clients and staff gathered for this annual celebration at the CREM Multipurpose Hall in Ejigbo, Lagos. The event, a highly anticipated raffle rewards loyal clients from all of Grooming’s six programme areas with prizes. Winners are selected by a transparent digital raffle draw spun in full view of a live audience.  The lucky winners are announced on the spot and those in Lagos get telephone calls inviting them to come and pick up their prizes, if possible, immediately from the venue. Speaking at the event, Grooming’s CEO, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka noted that Grooming’s 2024 Splash underscored the Centre’s commitment to empowering clients even with the challenging economic climate adding that, “This year’s edition leveraged technology to ensure inclusivity and transparency, further showcasing our commitment to innovation. We are also committed to economically supporting economically people at the bottom of the pyramid and our mission is to uplift and support our clients while helping them navigate challenges and reach new heights. This is what Splash is about.

News

GROOMING CENTRE HOSTS GIZ DELEGATION AND AWARD-WINNING TOGOLESE START-UPS ON DIGITAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

On Tuesday, 10th September 2024, the Centre hosted a delegation from GIZ’s Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Nigeria, DTC Togo and winners of the 2024 Togo Digital Awards as part of an immersion visit organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation (through the Togo Digital Agency) and German cooperation GIZ Togo. The visit aimed to enhance the skills and networks of the Togolese digital entrepreneurs as they would meet entrepreneurs, incubators and investors in the digital sector to experience best practices in digital transformation.  Lagos’ dynamic tech ecosystem is one of Africa’s most vibrant innovation hubs.

The visit to Grooming Centre offered the visitors a unique opportunity to explore Grooming Centre’s pioneering digital transformation initiatives and provided inspiration and practical takeaways for driving innovation in their home country. This visit highlighted the power of cross-border collaboration in advancing digital innovation and fostering growth within African tech ecosystems. By bridging ideas and opportunities, Nigeria and Togo are paving the way for a stronger, interconnected future of technology and entrepreneurship.

Business News Press Release

GROOMING, GIZ-NG COLLABORATE TO LAUNCH AGRI-FINANCIAL INCLUSION PRODUCT FOR 10,000 FARMERS & AGRO-BUSINESSES

 In August, 2024, Grooming Centre, in collaboration with GIZ Nigeria, launched the Grooming Agricultural Loan (GAL), to support farmers and agro-businesses in 14 states of Nigeria. The pilot programme aims to disburse 10,000 loans by December 2026 to enhance financial inclusion and foster growth in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

Speaking at the product launch in Lagos, Mr. Alex Enyinnah, Grooming’s Executive Director Programmes said: “We are very pleased to launch this product at a time when Nigeria’s food security has taken centre stage in the national discourse more than ever before. GAL will address the working capital needs of farmers in crop production, animal husbandry and agro-enterprises and will contribute to improving Nigeria’s food security, employment and economic growth while expanding Grooming’s outreach to underserved areas.”

This initiative reaffirms Grooming Centre’s commitment to empowering the economically active and supporting Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

News

GROOMING CENTRE RECEIVES DATA PROTECTION CERTIFICATION & COMPLIANCE RECOGNITION BY THE NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION

August, 2024, Lagos Nigeria. Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre has reached two significant milestones in data protection, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and safeguarding sensitive information.

NDPC Certification: The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has certified Grooming Centre as a major data controller/processor under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023. This certification underscores our adherence to high standards of data security, ensuring the rights and privacy of the individuals and communities we serve are protected. NDPR Audit Compliance: Grooming Centre successfully achieved NDPR (Nigeria Data Protection Regulation) Audit Compliance for 2023. This milestone strengthens our data governance framework and demonstrates accountability in managing sensitive information and reflects the Centre’s unwavering commitment to upholding trust and advancing its mission to create positive social impact.