Emmanuel outperformed nine other finalists in a competitive live pitch session, following a six-week intensive training programme that began with hundreds of applicants drawn from Abuja, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kaduna States.

The SOLAP Enterprise Hub, Youth Entrepreneurship Program 2025, an initiative of SOLAP Group, is designed to nurture young entrepreneurs into wealth creators, job providers and drivers of community development. From over 100 applications received, 50 entrepreneurs were shortlisted and trained, with only 10 advancing to the final pitch stage.

Presenting his business model, Emmanuel, a Quantity Surveying student of Kaduna State University, showcased his integrated poultry farm which not only produces poultry birds but also converts poultry waste into organic hybrid fertilizer. His innovation, aimed at addressing rising fertilizer costs, earned him the top prize.

Speaking after his victory, Emmanuel expressed gratitude to God and dedicated the achievement to his late father, whose initial vision inspired the business. He noted that the grant would help scale production and expand access to affordable fertilizer for farmers.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of SOLAP Group, Arc. Akosu Paul, said the initiative forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to support young entrepreneurs with viable ideas through training, mentorship and grants.

He explained that the programme aims to raise 100 millionaires within the next 10 years, stressing the importance of investing in youth who possess the energy, vision and fewer distractions needed to grow sustainable businesses.

The event also featured a panel discussion on “Thriving in Uncertainty: Building Resilience and Entrepreneurship,” with experts including Chief Samuel Adetunji, Mrs Theresa Gofwen and Mrs Mary Oyewole, who shared insights on navigating business challenges.

In a show of support, Chief Adetunji donated an additional N100,000 each to the top three winners, as well as to the best female contestant and another participant who pitched a fish farming business.

Speaking at the event, Mr Val Okafor of the Val Okafor Company, implementing partner of the initiative, described the programme as a structured intervention aimed at bridging the gap between ideas and sustainable enterprises.

According to him, participants underwent practical training in business development, market research, branding and revenue strategies, equipping them with the skills needed to build viable businesses.

Other winners at the event included Ani Nnaemeka Kingsley of NovelArts, who emerged first runner-up with a N1 million grant for his innovative use of waste materials in interior décor and art production.

Mom Terkaa Titus of Jumo Farms secured the second runner-up position, winning N500,000 for his Agri-Rentals concept, a farm mechanization hub for smallholder farmers.

The top female contestant, Egba Agnes of AG’s Creations, also received an additional N500,000 grant to support her fashion design business and training academy for aspiring designers.

Organisers described the maiden edition as a success, noting that the initiative will continue to expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

The commendation came during the 2026 Horticultural Festival held in Jos, organised in collaboration with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and other development partners. The event took place at the Crispan Suites and Event Center and attracted both local and international investors.

Leading the delegation of foreign investors, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, praised the state government’s commitment to agricultural development, particularly in horticulture and potato production.

He noted that Plateau’s climate and soil conditions provide a strong advantage for large-scale agricultural production, especially potatoes, and expressed optimism about ongoing collaborations between Dutch companies and local farmers. He also revealed that new seed varieties are being tested and scaled up to improve productivity.

Representing the governor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Samson Ishaku Bugama, described the festival as a strategic step toward positioning Plateau as a leading hub for horticulture in Nigeria and beyond.

Bugama emphasized that the state government is prioritizing agricultural excellence, improved seed systems, and increased yields, alongside creating investment opportunities across the value chain, including mechanization, processing, storage, and export.

He disclosed that the state is also developing Special Agro-Processing Zones to enhance export potential and attract investors, adding that Plateau aims to tap into a multi-billion-dollar market in potatoes and vegetables over the next decade.

According to him, Plateau produces about 90 percent of Nigeria’s Irish potatoes and possesses significant potential for expansion due to its favorable climate, fertile volcanic soil, and year-round production capacity.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Chidozie Egesi, highlighted the importance of research and innovation in unlocking the full potential of the potato value chain.

He noted that while Nigeria remains a leading potato producer in West Africa, yields remain below global standards, stressing the need for improved seed systems, mechanization, and stronger partnerships between researchers, investors, and farmers.

The festival featured exhibitions of crop varieties, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, alongside cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of Plateau communities.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yilkudi Nengak Elisha, appreciated partners and participants, assuring investors of sustained collaboration and improved outcomes.

The event reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to agricultural transformation, with stakeholders expressing confidence that Plateau is well-positioned to become a major hub for horticulture and agribusiness in Nigeria.