Innovation is taking a cultural twist as the Indigenous Language Business Pitching Contest returns, this time, shining its spotlight on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The contest, powered by the Inspire for Impact Initiative, is offering N1 million in cash grants to young entrepreneurs who can best pitch their business ideas not in English, but in their native languages.
Participants are required to create a short video showcasing their business ideas in any indigenous language, post it on social media, and tag @i4i_initiative. They must also complete the entry form via https://tinyurl.com/YOS-OYOContest
The competition is part of the Youth Opportunity Summit (YOS 2025), themed “Pitch 2 Win,” and aims to empower youth across Oyo State while promoting the use of indigenous languages as tools of innovation and enterprise.
Organisers say the initiative which would hold live in Ibadan on December 5 and 6, seeks to bridge the gap between culture and commerce by giving young Nigerians the confidence to express their creativity in the languages they understand best.
According to the Inspire for Impact team, the contest not only celebrates entrepreneurship but also showcases Nigeria’s cultural diversity and linguistic richness.
Entries are open, and contestants are urged to submit before the deadline for a chance to join the growing league of indigenous innovators building local solutions for global impact.
