The March 8th Initiative is arranged to inspire and promote communal, entrepreneurial, and public-spirited endeavours within Nigeria in honour of the birthday of His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON. Last year, 100 young entrepreneurs received business-defining grants that helped grow and advance enterprise.
This year 2021, the March 8th Initiative is expanding in terms of reach and scope. First, the Entrepreneurship Programme has been re-organised into 4 categories providing more opportunities for young Nigerians between 18 and 35 years old.
Health Workers
In addition, the March 8th Initiative recognises health workers nationwide who, in an extremely difficult time, continue to exhibit compassion, diligence, hard work, and professionalism in carrying out their duties. Individuals are requested to nominate any health worker who has shown these qualities under a Health Grant Reward Category that acknowledges their invaluable service to our communities.
The 2021 March 8th Entrepreneurship Programme- Call for Proposals
Small MSME owners are invited to apply across four different categories:
How To Apply For March 8th Initiative MSME Grants for Small Businesses
Category 1- My Big Idea Business Challenge | Grant Sum- N100,000
Do you have a small-scale business that could use some injection for enlarging your inventory, or have an idea that solves a troubling issue in your area? The program looks forward to reviewing your idea-entry under Category 1 of the 2021 March 8th Entrepreneurship Programme 2020. Your entry should be in the form of an elevator pitch on video that summarises who you are, what you do, what problem you are trying to solve, and how you would solve the problem with the grant, if successful. This video should not exceed 60 seconds.
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Entry Criteria
Start with your full name and location.
You MUST send your video via WhatsApp to 08095798693, and thereafter
upload your video on either Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and use the hashtag #FriendsOfProf, and tag @march8thng.
Because of the social transformation dimension of the challenge, applicants are required to post their video entries on social media.
Category 2- My Business Support Challenge | Grant Sum- N 250,000
Are you a small business looking to expand your current stock, hire staff or acquire basic equipment that would enhance profitability and operational efficiency so you can climb up to the next level of growth? If so, convince us by sending in an abridged business plan in no more than 500 words outlining your ideas, needs, and aspirations.
Entry Criteria
Business must be registered and must have been in existence for at least 1 year.
Submit a one-page proposal not exceeding 500 words describing your business and how ₦250, 000 will help it grow.
Category 3 – My Catalyst Support Challenge | ₦500,000
Are you an existing small business looking to expand your current scope either product-wise or geographically? Submit a business plan in no more than 750 words sharing your expansion and funding plans.
Entry Criteria
Business must be registered and must have been in existence for at least 2 years.
Submit a proposal not exceeding 800 words describing your existing business and the new products or services you want to venture into and how you will apply the funds, if successful.
Category 4 – My Bold Innovation Challenge
Business must be registered and must have been in existence for at least 2 years. Are you a young entrepreneur with an innovative idea that provides a solution to a common need or promotes sustainability? Does your idea have the potential to positively contribute to people, places, and profit? If so, convince us by sending a competitive business plan pitching your ideas and the supporting rationale in no more than 1,000 words.
Entry Criteria
Write a proposal not exceeding 1,000 words on how ₦1 Million will help your business advance your innovative idea.
- General terms and conditions (applicable to all categories). Entrants must:
- Reside in Nigeria.
- Be aged between 18 to 35 years.
- Be a registered Nigerian business.
- Only apply to one category. Applying to more than one will lead to disqualification.
- All entries except those for My Big Idea Business Challenge must be submitted at www.march8th.ng
Submit according to the category you are applying for.
Health Grant Reward Category | ₦1,000,000
Nominate a health professional or worker (nurse, doctor, attendant, etc.) in your State who has exhibited compassion, care, professionalism, and diligence during the past year. Your nominations should be filled out on the march8th.ng portal providing information about your nominee and the reason(s) for your nomination.
Entries open at 12.00 am on Monday, the 8th of March, 2021, and close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, the 14th of March, 2021.
Important Notes
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by people assigned to this job.
They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
All personnel may be required to perform other responsibilities in addition to those specified from time to time, as needed
Please note:
• The organization does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fees in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names, and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web
• The organisation is an equal opportunity employer with values of diversity inclusion. We do not discriminate on grounds of colour, race, nationality, religion, age, ethnic origin, disability, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation in our employment practices
• Their staffs are all equally gifted in unique ways: we come from diverse traditions, personal experiences, and points of view. And we want to include yours, Are you ready to inspire us with your ideas?
• The organisation encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.
• Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
• Due to the urgency of the position, the organisation has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline
• Only qualified candidates will be invited for an interview
