Mary Ojulari Foundation Opens $125,000 Fellowship To Empower Nigeria’s Brightest Innovators

According to Ireporter Online, the Mary Ojulari Foundation has announced the opening of applications for the second cohort of its Vanguard Fellowship, a flagship entrepreneurship program designed to identify, equip, and elevate visionary innovators across Nigeria.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition—which provided 25 entrepreneurs with a combined $125,000 in business growth funding—the Foundation is once again inviting changemakers to join a thriving community where ideas are transformed into opportunity, mentorship, and measurable impact.

The Vanguard Fellowship Cohort 2 continues the Foundation’s mission to empower purpose-driven entrepreneurs developing sustainable solutions to pressing community and economic challenges. Through a blend of capacity building, business mentorship, and catalytic funding, participants will be supported in turning their visions into scalable enterprises.

Applications opened on September 24 and will close on October 26. Shortlisted candidates will be announced on October 30, with interviews scheduled for November 1 and 2. Successful applicants will then attend Ignite Bootcamp, an intensive two-week learning experience running from November 10 to 21, culminating in a Pitch Day on November 20, where fellows will present their business ideas to investors and industry leaders for potential funding and mentorship opportunities.

Speaking on the initiative, the founder, Mrs. Mary Ojulari, emphasized that the fellowship seeks to bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity. “Many ideas fade not because they lack potential, but because they lack access to capital, mentorship, and the right mindset,” she stated. “The Vanguard Fellowship exists to nurture these ideas and the brilliant minds behind them. We’re building a community of bold thinkers who create sustainable value and inspire others to rise.”

Ojulari further explained that true empowerment should have a ripple effect, transforming individuals while strengthening the communities they serve. “Our goal is to support founders who are intentional, disciplined, and ready to build solutions that make lives better. When one is lifted, others should rise too,” she added.

Applications are open to aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs across Nigeria developing innovative and sustainable solutions to local challenges. Interested candidates can apply by submitting either a five-minute video or a 750-word written pitch detailing their story, business idea, and vision for impact. Submissions should be sent to vanguardfellowship@maryojularifoundation.org, while more details and resources are available on the Foundation’s official social media platforms.