YALI Network Lagos, The Mirror Newspaper, others partner to empower young entrepreneurs

ALI Network Lagos has partnered with Youniverse Business School, American Corner Ikeja, The Mirror Newspaper, El. Standar and The Excellent Isaac Foundation to empower young Nigerian entrepreneurs through its 2026 Business Clinic and Mini Accelerator Programme.

The initiative, themed *“Building Better Businesses: Learn. Grow. Pitch.”*, Is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, business owners, creatives and innovators with practical business knowledge, mentorship and strategies for building sustainable and scalable enterprises.

According to a press release issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, the four-week programme will feature eight virtual learning sessions scheduled from the third week of October to the second week of November, followed by a physical pitch competition in the third week of November.

The programme seeks to address challenges confronting emerging businesses, including limited access to business education, inadequate mentorship, funding constraints, weak market positioning and difficulties in converting business ideas into profitable ventures.

Through the collaboration, the organisers aim to provide participants with the knowledge, networks and practical tools needed to strengthen their business models, improve competitiveness and pursue sustainable growth.

The organisers noted that having a promising business idea was only the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey, stressing the importance of market validation, financial management, customer acquisition, branding and effective business planning.

The Business Clinic and Mini Accelerator is designed to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial ambition and practical business execution by exposing participants to relevant industry knowledge and actionable strategies.

The virtual sessions will feature experienced facilitators and industry professionals who will guide participants through key aspects of entrepreneurship and business development.

The programme is also expected to encourage peer learning, collaboration and the development of professional relationships among participants.

The organisers said the ultimate objective was to help young entrepreneurs build businesses capable of surviving market challenges, expanding operations, competing effectively and creating employment opportunities.

The programme brings together organisations with interests in entrepreneurship, education, media, innovation and community development.

The participating partners are Youniverse Business School, American Corner Ikeja, The Mirror Newspaper, El. Standar and The Excellent Isaac Foundation.

Their collaboration with YALI Network Lagos is expected to expand access to entrepreneurial knowledge, strengthen business visibility and create opportunities for young people to connect with relevant expertise and networks.

The partnership reflects the role of collaboration in supporting emerging enterprises and promoting a more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Through their respective platforms and resources, the partners seek to complement the training with opportunities for visibility, professional engagement and business development.

The programme will feature seven facilitators drawn from different professional backgrounds, bringing their experience and practical insights to the learning sessions.

They are Adewuyi Mayowa, Theresa Chibogu, Dr. Michael Egbekoya, Olalekan Adeeko, William Nwogbo, Dr. Abayomi Owolabi Alabi and Olubukola Ajaji, MBA.

The facilitators are expected to provide participants with practical perspectives on business development and strategies for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

The sessions will encourage active participation, peer engagement and the application of business principles to real-life situations.

A major highlight of the initiative will be a physical pitch competition scheduled for the third week of November 2026.

The competition will provide selected participants with an opportunity to present their business ideas or existing ventures, explain their value propositions and demonstrate their readiness for growth.

It is also intended to help participants improve their presentation skills, communicate business opportunities effectively and build confidence in engaging potential partners and other stakeholders.

The organisers said the pitch session would enable participants to apply lessons from the virtual training to practical business situations.

Further details about the competition and any associated opportunities are expected to be communicated through the programme’s official channels.

YALI Network Lagos has invited aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, business owners, creatives and innovators to register for the programme.

The initiative is open to individuals developing business ideas, launching startups, managing existing enterprises or seeking practical strategies to improve their operations.

Interested participants can register through the following link:
Registration: https://forms.gle/n6s4zuLNbh8ajceq9
The organisers said the programme would provide an opportunity for participants to learn from experienced facilitators, connect with fellow entrepreneurs and develop strategies for taking their businesses to the next stage.