NBCC President Tasks Enterprises on Courage, Adaptability, Continuous Improvement

Dike Onwuamaeze

The President of Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Mr. Abimbola Olashore, has charged the graduands of the NBCC Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (NBCC-WYEDI) Cohort 3 that success in the business world “requires courage, consistency, adaptability, and continuous improvement.”

He added: “There will be challenges, but there will also be opportunities for those who remain focused, innovative, and determined.

“I encourage you to continue learning, build strong networks, embrace professionalism, and strive to create solutions that positively impact society.”

Olashore gave the charge last week during the graduation ceremony of 167 participants from Cohort 3, who were drawn from the chamber’s vocational and technology training tracks.

He said: “This occasion reflects the chamber’s enduring commitment to enterprise development, capacity building, and the promotion of inclusive economic participation.

“It also demonstrates what can be achieved when institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development-minded individuals come together with a shared purpose.

“Today, we are celebrating more than programme completion. We are witnessing the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, skilled professionals, and business leaders who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth and transformation.”

According to him, the Nigerian economy continues to evolve rapidly, creating both opportunities and challenges for businesses, particularly for MSMEs.

“In this environment, the ability to innovate, adapt, and build sustainable ventures has become increasingly important. This is why initiatives such as NBCC-WYEDI remain critical to our broader economic aspirations.

“At the chamber, we recognise that empowering women and young people is not merely a social responsibility; it is an economic imperative.

“Nations thrive when their citizens are equipped with practical skills, entrepreneurial capabilities, and access to opportunities that enable them to create value and improve livelihoods.”

He said that the success of this initiative over the years is a testament to the growing appetite for entrepreneurship and vocational development across Nigeria.

“It also reinforces the importance of providing platforms that bridge knowledge gaps, encourage innovation, and support enterprise creation.

“The combination of vocational expertise and technology-driven training reflects the realities of today’s economy and positions participants to compete effectively in an increasingly dynamic business environment,” he said.

Speaking during the event, the Chairperson of NBCC-MSME and WYEDI Committee, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, said that 108 and 140 participants were graduated in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Azeez said that what started as an ambitious idea has grown into one of the chamber’s most impactful empowerment and entrepreneurship initiatives.

She said: “Over the last three cohorts, the initiative has provided practical training in diverse vocational and technology-based disciplines, including fashion design, confectionery, shoemaking, hair and beauty, photography and videography, arts and crafts, hydroponic farming, digital marketing, UI/UX design, web development, data analysis, and other emerging technology fields.

“However, our objective has never been limited to skills acquisition alone.

“We have remained committed to developing entrepreneurs who possess the knowledge, confidence, discipline, and business acumen required to build sustainable enterprises. Through mentorship sessions, business development workshops, financial literacy training, access-tofinance engagements, project exhibitions, and pitch competitions, we have sought to prepare our participants for long-term success.”

Azeez said that by equipping women and youth with practical skills, entrepreneurial capacity, and economic opportunities, the NBCC is contributing meaningfully to inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable national development.

“With the graduation of Cohort 3, the NBCC-WYEDI has now empowered and graduated over 400 entrepreneurs and skilled professionals, creating a growing network of innovators, business owners, and change-makers who are contributing meaningfully to economic growth, job creation, and community development across Nigeria,” she said.