Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8 or Global Goal 8) is about “decent work and economic growth” and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which were established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.

In a statement by the Chairman Board of Trustees of the project, Engr. Dare Ojo “Ekiti Enterprise Challenge is focused on raising the next generation of Ekiti young entrepreneurs who will drive the economic development of the State by establishing local sustainable businesses that have potential to create decent jobs and economic growth in line with SDGs Goals 8, Target 3, also in linkages to SDGs Goals 1, 9 , 12 & 17”

He also stated that “ SDGs Goal 8 target 3 focus on Promoting development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including  access to financial services” which are impact driven targets Ekiti Enterprise Challenge has been commited to champion.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary Board of Trustees / Team Lead Ekiti Enterprise Challenge Michael Peculiar Ekiran also emphasize the social impact complementary linkages of the initiative “The strategic vision of Ekiti Enterprise Challenge is to complement the efforts of the present Government and Subsequent Government to come in making   Ekiti State ‘A place where youths can thrive and live their lives in dignity’ And also to ‘Restore The Ekiti Values By Raising Next Generation Of Young Entrepreneurs With Local Sustainable Business Establishments That Are Made In Ekiti, But Have The Potential To Grow Exponentially And Scale Beyond Ekiti Local Market To A National And Global Market’

Ekiti Enterprise Challenge 2020 has been carefully planned to mark and celebrate the Global Entrepreneurship Week in Ekiti State. Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the world’s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship and encourage the next generation to focus on pursuing business interests. GEN helps celebrate, understand, support and connect entrepreneurs and those who champion them.

Global Entreprenurship Week 2020 was celebrated in Ekiti State through a Business Pitching competition and 5 Days Residential Enterprise Development Program organised and facilated by Ekiti Enterprise Challenge.

The impact driven initiative started in September 2020 with a 30 Days call for application which closed on 30th September 2020. In October 2020, a team of independent business development consultants  reviewed the applications and shortlisted 15 successful young entrepreneurs to attend the 5 Days Residential  Enterprise Development Bootcamp which was scheduled to hold between Monday November 30th 2020 – Thursday December 3rd 2020 where they were groomed and prepared for the final stage of Pitch Competition on Friday December 4th 2020.  

15 contestants pitched thier business ideas before an expert panel comprising of Mrs. Hellen Oni (Founder,You Can Business Academy), Barrister Michael Olaniyan (Founder, Thinking School Nigeria) and Engr. Dare Ojo (Chairman Board of Trustees, Ekiti Enterprise Challenge & President Ekiti Parapo Lagos). The jury reviewed the businesses pitches in key areas such as potential to scale and grow beyond the local market, viability potential, market strategy, business model, and financial turn over.

Presentation of winners for Ekiti Enterprise Challenge was held during the Grand Finale ceremony on Saturday December 5th 2020 at Conference Hall, Fountain Hotel, Trade Fair Complex Ado Ekiti by the Head Board of Judges for Ekiti Enterprise Challenge 2020 Mrs. Hellen Oni. The Winners for Ekiti Enterprise Challenge 2020 are:

1. Odumuyiwa Titilayo Bayonle, CEO Freedom Shoes – Grand Prize Winner of N1,000,000
2. Ogunlade Ayobami, Founder Delivery Now NG – First Runner Up Winner of N500,000
3. Osuolale Victor, Founder Èkìtì Market – Second Runner Up Winner of N300,000
4. Falade Ebunoluwa Grace, CEO Gracial Corture – Third Runner Up Winner of N200,000

The Grand Finale Event was attended by invited Guests and Top Government Functionaries such as, Ekiti State Honorable Commissioner for Trade, Investment & Industry, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, Director General, Ekiti State Micro Enterprise Development Agency Otunba Kayode Fasae, SSA to The Governor on SDGs represented by Executive Secretary SDGs Mr. Dele Ogunsemoyin, The State Coordinator of NDE represented by Mrs. Ajiboye Folasade. Other Invited Guests that attended the grand finale are and Rev Tope Popoola (a Business Coach and one of the facilitators of the 5 Days Residential Enterprise Development Bootcamp), Mr. Isaac Adekunle Ojo (Project Coordinator Project 160,000 Entrepreneurs) and others.