Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

In Nigeria, teenagers face a significant knowledge gap, hindering their ability to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and reach their potential. In Oyo state, we're bridging this gap through mentorship, education, and skills training.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

In Nigeria, generations of teenagers struggles to find their way due to a significant knowledge gap. This gap hinders their ability to navigate life's challenges, make informed decisions, and reach their full potential. In Oyo state, we're on a mission to change this story through our project, Empowering Teenagers. We're bridging the gap by providing mentorship, education, and skills training in IT, Psychology, Medical Health, and Law. Our 3-year project will empower secondary school students to succeed and make a positive impact. By the end, we expect to see empowered teenagers, equipped to thrive and contribute to a better society. As we rewrite a new story for Nigeria's teenagers - one of hope, empowerment, and limitless possibility.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

- For generations, teenagers have lacked access to balanced knowledge, leaving them with unanswered questions, unexplained answers, and a void in understanding core aspects of life. - This knowledge gap has perpetuated a cycle of struggle, as adults grapple with the consequences of incomplete guidance. - Many adults today are a product of this cycle, having grown up without comprehensive support, and now face various forms of struggle in their personal and professional lives.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The Mind Device Initiative's empowerment project aims to provide the following major benefits: - Equips teenagers with essential life skills, fostering mental wellness and resilience - Empowers students to manage their mental health, supporting their overall well-being and academic performance - Enhances financial literacy, enabling informed decisions and responsible money management - Provides foundational medical health knowledge, promoting healthy habits and informed decision-making - Educates students on legal rights and responsibilities, supporting informed citizenship - Develops IT skills, preparing students for success in a rapidly changing digital landscape By providing structured training programs, the project aims to shape sound-minded, well-rounded adults who will make a positive impact in their communities and the world at large.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The Mind Device Initiative's project is aimed at serving secondary school students in Oyo State, Nigeria. The targeted beneficiaries are: - Students aged 11-18 - From diverse backgrounds and socio-economic statuses - In public and private schools - With a focus on empowering teenagers to become sound-minded, well-rounded adults The project aims to reach a minimum of 18,000 students across 10 zones in Oyo State, promoting mental wellness, financial literacy, medical health knowledge, legal awareness, and IT skills.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-03-30

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

I do not have business partners in the classical sense, but rather collaborators or stakeholders in the project. We are working together to achieve a specific goal, but we are not jointly owning or operating the (NGO) business together. That said! The partners consist of experienced female and male gender professionals from various fields, including medical health, clinical psychology, law, banking, and IT, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in their respective fields, bringing strong knowledge and skills to the project.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.instagram.com/minddeviceinitiative

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

j) Public services

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

- Providing financial literacy training, enabling students to manage resources effectively and make informed decisions about their financial future. - Equipping students with IT skills, enhancing their employability and access to better-paying job opportunities. - Empowering students with essential life skills, such as mental wellness and resilience, to overcome poverty-related challenges. - Offering legal awareness and education, reducing the risk of exploitation and promoting access to legal resources. - Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, encouraging students to develop sustainable income-generating ideas. By addressing these critical areas, the project helps students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to break the cycle of poverty and improve their socio-economic status.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

- Empowering Teenagers raises awareness about mental health and well-being among teenagers. - Educates teenagers on the importance of self-care and stress management. - Teaches basic medical health and hygiene practices, promoting healthy habits. - Encourages healthy lifestyle choices, supporting physical and mental well-being. - Addresses mental and physical health, supporting overall well-being. - Reduces stigma around mental health, promoting open conversations. - Fosters a culture of self-care and wellness among teenagers. - Supports the development of healthy and resilient individuals.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

- Empowering Teenagers provides access to quality education for secondary school students. - Enhances knowledge and understanding of critical subjects like: - IT - Psychology - Medical Health - Law - Finance - Supports the development of essential life skills, including: - Critical thinking - Problem-solving - Communication - Prepares students for success in their future endeavors. - Fosters a culture of lifelong learning and academic excellence. - Develops informed and educated citizens, equipped to contribute to society. - Supports the achievement of quality education for all, promoting inclusive learning. - Empowers teenagers with knowledge and skills to manage resources, make informed financial decisions, and contribute to economic growth.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

- Empowering Teenagers challenges gender stereotypes and promotes gender equality. - Provides inclusive education and skills training, empowering female teenagers. - Fosters a supportive environment for all students, regardless of gender. - Encourages female teenagers to pursue their goals and aspirations. - Addresses gender disparities and promotes equal opportunities. - Contributes to a more equitable society, free from gender-based discrimination. - Supports the empowerment of women and girls, promoting gender justice. - Encourages gender-sensitive practices and policies, promoting social change.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

- Empowering Teenagers equips teenagers with skills and knowledge to secure decent employment opportunities. - Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation among students, fostering a spirit of self-reliance. - Supports economic growth by developing a skilled and informed workforce. - Prepares students to contribute to Nigeria's economic development. - Enhances productivity and competitiveness in the workforce. - Encourages sustainable economic growth and development. - Fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. - Develops a workforce capable of driving economic progress.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Our project supports industry innovation and infrastructure by: - Providing IT skills training, which enhances the development of digital solutions and infrastructure - Promoting financial literacy and access to financial services, supporting entrepreneurial innovation and economic growth - Fostering legal awareness and understanding, facilitating a supportive environment for innovation and infrastructure development - Encouraging mental wellness and resilience, essential for innovators and entrepreneurs to thrive - Collaborating with industry partners, such as Wema Bank, to leverage their expertise and resources, supporting innovation and infrastructure growth. By addressing these areas, our project contributes to the development of a robust innovation ecosystem and infrastructure.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

- Empowering Teenagers addresses the knowledge gap and provides equal access to education and skills training for marginalized teenagers. - Promotes social inclusion by providing opportunities for teenagers from diverse backgrounds. - Challenges discrimination and fosters a supportive environment for all students. - Empowers teenagers from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential. - Reduces inequalities by providing equal access to education and skills training. - Fosters a more just society by promoting social inclusion and challenging discrimination. - Supports the development of a more equitable and prosperous society. - Enhances social cohesion and community engagement. - Encourages active citizenship and social responsibility among teenagers.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Our project contributes to sustainable cities and communities by: - Empowering young people with skills and knowledge to thrive in their communities - Promoting financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation, driving local economic growth - Fostering mental wellness and resilience, essential for building strong, supportive communities - Encouraging legal awareness and understanding, promoting social cohesion and stability - Collaborating with local partners, like University College Hospital, Ibadan, to leverage their expertise and resources, supporting community development By addressing these areas, our project helps build sustainable cities and communities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Our project contributes to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by: - Educating students about the importance of responsible language and communication, which can lead to a reduction in harmful or offensive speech. - Promoting awareness about the impact of words on individuals and society, encouraging mindful communication practices. - Encouraging responsible behavior and respect for rules and regulations, which can translate to responsible consumption and production patterns. By instilling these values in students, our project shapes future generations' behavior and contributes to a culture of sustainability, responsible consumption, and production.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

6

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Our organization advances SDG 16 through: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by educating students about the Nigerian law, the impact of responsible language, and the importance of adhering to rules and regulations as citizens. In partnership with Agbaje Agbaje & Co., we promote legal awareness and understanding, contributing to a more informed and law-abiding citizenry, which is essential for building peaceful and inclusive societies.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Our organization exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering a collaborative ecosystem. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from healthcare, law, finance, and IT, our project demonstrates the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in driving sustainable development. Through resource mobilization, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions, our organization achieves collective impact, showcasing the potential of our partnerships to drive progress and achieve common goals.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

6

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

The uniqueness and innovation lie in: 1. Adaptation: We're adapting proven concepts to a new context, making them relevant and accessible to a previously untapped market. 2. Integration: By combining essential life skills, financial literacy, medical health knowledge, legal awareness, and IT skills, we're offering a comprehensive solution that addresses multiple needs simultaneously. 3. Target audience: Focusing on secondary school students in Oyo State, Nigeria, sets our project apart, as it addresses a specific demographic with unique challenges and opportunities. 4. Holistic approach: Our project tackles interrelated aspects of personal and professional development, acknowledging the interconnectedness of these skills in achieving overall well-being and success. By innovatively repurposing existing products and expertise, we're creating a tailored solution that addresses the specific needs of our target audience, making our project unique and innovative.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Our main potential competitors are educational institutions and organizations offering life skills, financial literacy, and vocational training programs. However, our project stands out by: - Offering a comprehensive and integrated approach, combining essential life skills, financial literacy, medical health knowledge, legal awareness, and IT skills. - Focusing specifically on secondary school students in Oyo State, Nigeria, addressing their unique needs and challenges. - Providing a holistic approach to personal and professional development, acknowledging the interconnectedness of these skills. - Adapting proven concepts to the local context, making them relevant and accessible to our target audience. Our innovative approach, tailored to the specific needs of our target audience, sets us apart from existing programs, making us a unique and impactful solution.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

As a female entrepreneur, I'm passionate about empowering women in my community. I regularly engage with young girls and secondary school students, sharing my experiences and insights about life and business. I also collaborate with female professionals in my work, supporting and learning from each other. Through these efforts, I aim to inspire and uplift women, encouraging them to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams and reach their full potential.