NLNG Disburses ₦250m Grants to 51 Entrepreneurs to Bridge Funding Gap
Kathy Kyari
In a move aimed at closing the gap between business training and startup execution, Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has awarded ₦250 million in grants to 51 entrepreneurs under its 2026 Vocational Innovation and Business Empowerment Scheme (VIBES).
The grants were disbursed following a competitive pitch-a-thon that marked the conclusion of the programme, which began with the induction of 103 participants drawn from NLNG’s host communities in Rivers State.
During the final stage, participants presented their business ideas and funding requirements before a panel of judges, with selections based on viability, scalability, and sustainability.
Speaking at the event, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the funding component of the scheme was intentionally designed to ensure that participants move beyond theoretical knowledge to practical implementation.
“What we are doing with this funding is bridging the gap between learning and execution. Many small businesses struggle at that stage where they have the knowledge but lack the capital to move forward. Through VIBES, we are providing targeted support to help these entrepreneurs implement their ideas, stabilise their operations, and position their businesses for growth,” she said.
Horsfall noted that the initiative aligns with NLNG’s broader strategy for sustainable community development, emphasizing that combining training with financial support enables beneficiaries to generate measurable economic impact.
“It is about providing sustainable livelihoods,” she added.
Also speaking, Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Yemi Adeyemi, commended the participants for their commitment throughout the programme and the quality of ideas presented at the pitch stage.
He explained that the grants are intended to serve as critical growth capital for the beneficiaries, enabling them to expand operations, improve productivity, create jobs, and strengthen their market presence.
The pitch-a-thon brought to a close a four-week intensive business capacity-building programme, where participants received hands-on training in financial management, business strategy, marketing, and operations.
NLNG said the VIBES initiative, which is anchored on innovation, scalability, and sustainability, underscores its commitment to inclusive economic development by equipping entrepreneurs with both the skills and funding required to build and sustain successful businesses.
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