Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) trained 100 young professionals in management and entrepreneurship to help drive national business growth, according to the non-profit organisation.
The five-day Venture in Management Program (ViMP), hosted at the Lagos Business School and headline-sponsored by GB Foods Nigeria, combined practical business education, case studies, and corporate social responsibility initiatives for both in-person and virtual cohorts.
The initiative aims to address leadership gaps across Nigeria’s evolving business landscape by developing critical analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Key sessions featured industry leaders, including executives from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and GB Foods, focusing on business innovation, scaling operations, and navigating the financial ecosystem.
”The energy, intelligence, curiosity, and ambition of these young professionals were evident from the outset,” said Olaolu Akogun, acting executive director of Junior Achievement Nigeria.
“ViMP gave them an opportunity to sharpen these qualities through practical learning, exposure, and engagement with experienced leaders to strengthen their capacity to contribute to Nigeria’s national transformation.”
Beyond the classroom, ViMP 2026 incorporated a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity, with the cohort visiting three communities.
The engagement encouraged the young professionals to connect with communities, understand social needs, and reflect on the role of responsible leadership in creating sustainable impact.
For the 2026 cohort, the program offered an opportunity to deepen their understanding of business and management while building relationships with peers and professionals across different sectors.
Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Grace Alawode, the president of the ViMP Class of 2026, said: “ViMP gave me more than frameworks and strategies. The experience showed me what leadership can look like when people are treated as equals, heard, and encouraged to grow.”
“As cohort president, I came to understand that I am a leader of leaders, and that leadership is not about managing people down, but bringing people up.” “That is a lesson I will carry with me beyond ViMP.”
The program received support from other organisations committed to developing young talent and strengthening Nigeria’s business ecosystem, including CardinalStone, Nigeria Bottling Company, Channels Television, Lagos Business School (LBS), Andersen Consulting.
Through ViMP, Junior Achievement Nigeria provides young professionals with practical business education, leadership development, industry exposure, and opportunities to engage with communities.
The program forms part of JAN’s broader commitment to developing young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to succeed in the world of work, build sustainable businesses, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
”ViMP gives young professionals the tools to spot opportunities, lead effectively, and build high-value businesses,” said Oluwatosin Oyetayo, acting programs lead at Junior Achievement Nigeria.
“We are intentionally preparing a generation of leaders who can translate ideas into measurable national impact.”
Through ViMP, Junior Achievement Nigeria continues to invest in a generation of young professionals equipped to grow impactful businesses, create value, and play a meaningful role in Nigeria’s national transformation.
Josephine Okojie-Okeiyi is a journalist with over five years’ reporting experience. She writes on industry, agriculture, commodities, climate change, and environmental issues. She is fellow of Thomson Reuters Foundation and Bloomberg Media Initiative for Africa.
