The Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit (OES) has officially launched the ₦200 Million Ogoni Revolving Fund Scheme for 2026, a major economic empowerment initiative funded by Chief Lesi Maol, OES Convener and prominent Ogoni son. Announced during the Annual Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit in December 2025, the fund underscores a renewed commitment to building a self-reliant, vibrant, and economically empowered Ogoni community.
The Revolving Fund Scheme aims to unlock entrepreneurial potential by supporting entrepreneurs, established businesses, and micro-enterprises across Ogoniland. Its goals are to stimulate sustainable economic growth, generate jobs, and provide dignified livelihoods through enterprise. Structured as a revolving fund, repayments from beneficiaries will finance new opportunities, ensuring continuity and shared prosperity across generations.
Beyond financial support, the scheme provides structured guidance to strengthen local production, foster innovation, and build resilient businesses. It is founded on principles of transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and merit-based selection, with clear eligibility criteria, monitoring mechanisms, and repayment frameworks to ensure long-term impact. Chief Lesi Maol emphasises that sustainable development stems from deliberate investment in people, skills, and productive capacity.
The press conference also announced the establishment of the OES Grant Selection Committee to ensure a credible and transparent selection process. The Committee is chaired by Sir (Dr.) Leesi Gabriel Gborogbosi, with Engr. Tudor Miikor as Secretary, Dr. Elvis Lebura Ikoma as Finance Lead, and Mr. Ndume Green as Media Lead. The Committee oversees application review, screening, due diligence, training, and overall integrity of the OES Grant Programme.
Also Read: http://Rivers Philanthropist Marks Birthday With Free Jamb Forms
The OES Grant Programme targets entrepreneurs, existing businesses, and micro-enterprises, with selections strictly merit-based to support initiatives capable of generating sustainable economic and social value across Ogoniland.
Following the closure of the application portal on 9 January 2026, over 500 applications were assessed, with 111 applicants shortlisted for a mandatory training programme scheduled for Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Applicants not shortlisted in the first phase have been invited for additional physical screening from Tuesday, 10 February to Thursday, 12 February 2026, at Giolee Global Resources Corporate Headquarters, near the Army Range/C4i Checkpoint, Eneka, Port Harcourt. Applicants are advised to check the OES website on Monday, 9 February 2026, for their status and screening details.
All shortlisted applicants must attend the training wearing their OES T-shirts and presenting their Local Government Identification Certificates, as part of due diligence and accountability measures.
The OES Grant Selection Committee expressed gratitude to all applicants and stakeholders for their patience and trust. The initiative represents more than funding—it embodies a collective effort to transform Ogoni from potential to productivity, aspiration to achievement, and promise to shared prosperity.
Through integrity, collaboration, and enterprise, Ogoni is charting a path toward sustainable economic growth and development.
