Twenty-seven women received certificates at the maiden convocation of the Ayodele Megbope Inspires mentoring academy, a ceremony that organisers described as both a celebration of personal transformation and a call to sustained economic participation.
Ayodele Megbope Mentoring Academy marks first graduation
The graduation brought together graduates, family members and guests to honour the cohort’s progress and to encourage continued ambition. Mrs Ayo Megbope, lead coach and founder of the academy, told attendees the event represented courage, faith and the power of transition, adding that it is never too late for a fresh chapter.
Mrs Megbope opened with a personal account of her journey from hardship to entrepreneurship. She said she began with just N1000 after an academic setback and that hawking moin-moin led to a catering role which later developed into a restaurant and a wellness centre. She credited training under the Sachs 1000 Women Initiative for providing critical skills that helped evolve her business and inspired her to mentor others.
“I have stood on His word, trusted His timing, and moved brick upon brick, step by step,” Mrs Megbope said, stressing the importance of self-awareness, focus and a clear sense of identity. She urged graduates to challenge invisible barriers, embrace creativity and dream boldly.
The keynote address was delivered by Mrs Olufunto Igun, a consultant specialising in support for micro, small and medium enterprises and in financial and digital literacy. In a presentation titled “Rising to Your Calling, Developing the Character, Courage and Competence Needed for the Next Level,” Mrs Igun encouraged the cohort to avoid complacency and to pursue continuous personal and professional improvement.
Mrs Igun highlighted the importance of character and practical skills for scaling small businesses and improving livelihoods. Her guidance centred on resilience, sound financial practice and the adoption of digital tools to enhance market access and operational efficiency.
Mr Olufemi Megbope, director of AMI and husband to the founder, praised his wife’s resilience and faith, and appealed to graduates to continue building competence and strengthening their skills. He described the event as evidence that sustained effort and household support can yield significant social and economic returns.
Elizabeth Achike-Osegbue, head of administration at the academy, described the convocation as the harvest of a long-held dream. Speaking to journalists, she said leading the programme had been an opportunity for personal growth as much as for mentorship, and urged graduates to keep asking “what next?” as they progress up the growth curve.
The ceremony included certificate presentations, spiritual blessings and awards recognising outstanding graduates and staff. The overall message was practical and forward-looking: leverage training, build competence, and convert challenges into opportunities for sustainable business growth.
The graduation marks a milestone for the academy and for local efforts to boost women’s participation in entrepreneurship. By combining personal testimony, technical training and ongoing mentorship, the Ayodele Megbope Mentoring Academy aims to create a pipeline of confident, competent women business owners able to contribute to local economic development.
Key Takeaways:
- Ayodele Megbope Mentoring Academy celebrates the graduation of 27 women from its inaugural cohort, signalling fresh momentum for women-led MSMEs in Nigeria.
- Founder Ayo Megbope shared a personal story of starting with N1000, highlighting resilience, self-awareness and the role of mentorship.
- Keynote on financial and digital literacy urged continuous skill development to scale businesses and achieve sustainable success.
