The Awesome Empowerment Foundation (AEF), led by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi, has graduated 80 participants from the pioneer cohort of its Fortitude Empowerment Scheme in Lagos, equipping beneficiaries with vocational tools and entrepreneurial support to help them establish their businesses.
The graduation ceremony, held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the foundation’s training centre in Yaba, celebrated participants who completed training in fashion design and culinary arts, marking a significant step in AEF’s efforts to promote economic independence through practical skills development.
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Beyond awarding certificates, the foundation provided the graduands with essential start-up equipment and materials, reflecting its approach to empowerment as a process that extends beyond classroom instruction to practical business establishment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi expressed satisfaction with the progress of the initiative, noting that 80 of the 120 participants initially enrolled had completed their training, while the remaining 40 were still undergoing their programmes.
She explained that the foundation’s intervention was designed to combine vocational education with the business knowledge required to turn acquired skills into sustainable sources of income.
“We not only train people here at this foundation, we also equip them and support them with setting up their businesses. We teach them how to manage their accounting processes, digital and social media because at the end of the day, they’ve still got to put what they sell out there,” she said.
According to her, the initiative recognises that technical competence alone may not guarantee business success, particularly for individuals entering entrepreneurship without previous commercial experience.
The graduands therefore received training in accounting, digital skills, social media management and other aspects of business development to improve their ability to attract customers, manage operations and sustain their enterprises.
The support package also included practical equipment tailored to the participants’ respective areas of specialisation.
Graduands in culinary arts received Kerrygold raw materials, while those trained in fashion design were presented with sewing tables and stands, electric sewing machines and accompanying motors.
Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi further disclosed that AEF would maintain contact with the graduates for three months after the programme to monitor their progress, provide guidance and help address challenges that could affect the early stages of their businesses.
The ceremony also recognised outstanding trainees whose resilience and commitment distinguished them throughout the training. Their rewards included electric air fryers, handy ovens, all-purpose blenders and cash prizes.
The foundation’s founder commended the corporate organisations and individual sponsors that contributed to the initiative, describing their involvement as an example of meaningful corporate social responsibility.
Representatives of HBM, Kerrygold, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Leadway and Dotts Media attended the ceremony, reflecting the collaborative support behind the programme.
A central feature of the Fortitude Empowerment Scheme is its commitment to providing opportunities for individuals whose personal circumstances or disabilities may limit their access to conventional vocational training.
Reaffirming this philosophy, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi said the foundation deliberately accommodates participants with different abilities and learning needs, allowing them to develop their skills at a pace suited to their circumstances.
“We do not let anything hold you back. In fact, we are more interested in you if we know of your imperfection,” she said.
She added that participants were supported and trained according to their individual needs, emphasising that the foundation was committed to helping people discover their abilities rather than allowing their limitations to define their prospects.
The scheme’s inclusive approach is reflected in its earlier recruitment figures.
Reports on the programme indicated that its participants included women, men and persons with disabilities, with women accounting for the larger proportion of beneficiaries.
The programme also benefits from partnerships with organisations across the private and public sectors.
HBM Nigeria and Kerrygold supported the fashion and culinary training components respectively, while other partners contributed to the foundation’s broader empowerment activities.
At the scheme’s launch in July 2026, the foundation explained that the initiative was developed to support existing entrepreneurs seeking to improve their skills, aspiring business owners without access to professional training and persons with disabilities interested in economic self-reliance.
The Fortitude Empowerment Scheme also builds on the foundation’s Imperfectly Awesome Conversations platform, which promotes authenticity, resilience and confidence through discussions around personal development and overcoming challenges.
While the conversations provide a platform for encouragement and self-discovery, the empowerment scheme offers a practical pathway through vocational education, entrepreneurship training and business support.
For the graduands, the provision of start-up equipment and continued mentorship represents an opportunity to translate their newly acquired skills into income-generating ventures.
With 80 participants completing the first phase and the remaining trainees continuing their programmes, AEF is positioning the Fortitude Empowerment Scheme as a practical intervention that connects skills acquisition with entrepreneurship and long-term economic participation.
The foundation’s broader message, Empowering People.
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Transforming Communities, underscores its commitment to creating opportunities for individuals to build confidence, develop their abilities and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
