The Mary Ojulary Foundation has announced that its financial support to young entrepreneurs has reached $180,000, disbursed in two phases as part of its mission to strengthen small businesses across Nigeria.

The Founder, Mary Ojulary, revealed this on Friday during the award night for the second cohort of the organisation’s Vanguard Fellowship Initiative in Lagos.

Ojulary explained that the foundation, born out of a long-standing passion for giving back and creating sustainable opportunities for young people, is divided into two categories aimed at reaching children, youths, and women in need of support for their businesses.

Speaking on the rationale behind the foundation, Ojulary said that for more than a decade, she had supported children through primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

Yet, many continued to return seeking further help. This prompted her to think beyond scholarships.

Her turning point came during the 2023 elections while sensitising young people on civic participation.

“In the process of engaging the youth, I met a lot of 18 to 35-year-olds who were innovative and creative, with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. They had ideas, but they lacked mentorship. That inspired me to create a platform focused on enterprise development, coaching, education, and mentorship,” she said.

The foundation’s two core programmes include the Aspire Scholarship, which has supported 25 children so far, and the Vanguard Fellowship Initiative, the flagship entrepreneurship empowerment scheme. The fund dispensed so far covers only the Vanguard Initiative.

The Vanguard Initiative includes the Ignite Bootcamp, where applicants from across Nigeria undergo intensive training before receiving funding.

Ojulary explained, “Now, the Vanguard Fellowship Initiative is what we are doing. This is the second award ceremony out of the Vanguard Fellowship Initiative. Part of the Vanguard Fellowship Initiative is the Ignite Bootcamp.

“We call for applications across Nigeria, and we select the best minds based on the funding that we have. In the first cohort, we had thousands of applications, but we only selected 50 because of the funding that we had. On the day of the awards, we gave 21 bright minds $5,000 each.

“On the day of the awards, an entrepreneur contacted me and said, I want to help you with four others, and that’s why we did an additional four. We have $125,000, and we have given it out to 25 entrepreneurs. Today, we had funding for eight people. For me, the reason why I make the entrepreneurs go through the bootcamp is to also let them know that it’s not about the money.”

Giving the total of the funds dispensed so far, she added, “In the first cohort in April 2025, we awarded 25 entrepreneurs $125,000. In this cohort, which is the second one, we have given out N50m, and that is going to eight entrepreneurs. So I would say it’s approximately $180,000.”

As encomiums poured in at the programme, a member of the Lagos House of Assembly representing Eti-Osa Constituency, Gbolahan Yishawu, applauded Ojulary’s energy for humanity and promised that the government would continue supporting her in achieving her goals.

The lawmaker, who also asked the cohorts to prepare position papers, vowed to follow worthy submissions along with his colleagues in the House.

“I gave you guys an assignment to prepare a paper. Please get them ready, and we will turn the worthy ones among them into legislation papers in the business of legislation together with my colleagues. Mary, I don’t know where you have got this energy, but we must thank you for what you are doing. God bless you,” Yishawu said.

The event further showcased the foundation’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent, providing mentorship, and creating sustainable opportunities for Nigeria’s youth, ensuring the continued growth of small businesses nationwide.