Business Verge has selected 10 University of Lagos students as finalists in its 2026 Student Essay Competition, advancing them to the next stage of a contest focused on sustainable entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
The students were chosen following an evaluation of entries addressing the question, “How Can Young Nigerians Build Sustainable Businesses in Today’s Economy?” Their submissions explored entrepreneurship from perspectives ranging from business resilience and technology to strategy, infrastructure and economic sustainability.
The finalists are Adeniran Saheed, a 200-level Law student; Tobechukwu Egboh, a 400-level Electrical and Electronics Engineering student; John Fulfilment, a 300-level Computer Engineering student; and Tobechukwu Praise-God Egboh, also a 400-level Electrical and Electronics Engineering student.
Brandspur Brand News reports that Olayinka Richard Akanji, a 200-level Engineering/Computer student; Abiodun Grace Aiyedun, a 300-level Mechanical Engineering student; and Olasanoye Olamiposi Anne, a 300-level Marine Science student, also secured places in the final 10.
Completing the list are Adebanjo Demilade David, a 300-level Accounting student; Oluwatobiloba Ayodele, a 200-level Law student; and Arogundade Toluwani Christabel, a 200-level Mechanical Engineering student.
The range of disciplines represented in the final stage reflects the different ways young Nigerians are approaching entrepreneurship. While some entries examined the challenge of building businesses that can survive Nigeria’s infrastructure and economic pressures, others focused on resilient startups, strategic frameworks and long-term business models.
One finalist, Tobechukwu Egboh, explored the realities of unreliable electricity through an essay titled “The Inverter Principle: Building Businesses That Assume the Grid Will Fail.” Another, Tobechukwu Praise-God Egboh, approached entrepreneurship through lessons drawn from everyday commerce in “What the Market Woman Knows.”
Other submissions examined how young entrepreneurs can build businesses capable of surviving difficult economic conditions and creating lasting value.
Business Verge said the competition was created to give students a platform to engage with practical questions surrounding entrepreneurship, innovation and economic opportunity while developing ideas that could contribute to Nigeria’s growth.
The announcement of the 10 finalists moves the competition into its next phase, with further evaluation expected before the overall winner of the 2026 Business Verge Student Essay Competition is announced.
