The wonderful thing about developing business solutions that will have an impact and generate revenue is that it is not just for the ‘grown ups.’ The JA Company Program is proof that with the right support, young people can effect positive change to societal problems.

Through the month of July, competitors for the 2023 Regional Company of the Year (RCOY) competition competed across the country. Student-run businesses from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Rivers, Jos, Abuja, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano presented their goods/services and engaged in competition with other students in those regions. The student-run businesses listed below will represent each region at the National Company of the Year (NCOY) level: 

Lagos: Sustainable Future Advocate Company (SFAC) from Kosofe Senior College. They made plantain peel briquettes as an alternative to cooking gas as well as shoes made from waste plastic rings and brooms crafted from discarded plastic bottles.

Ogun: Royal Inc. student company from Alaba Lawson Royal College. They produced Eco-jeans bags from recycled Jean wears by turning them into stylish and affordable bags.

Oyo: Xceller Company from Bishop Philips Academy. They made a pen refill made from eco-friendly materials that last longer than the regular pen. 

Ondo: Talented Young Minds from Geomi International School. They developed an  app named CoachMe App; an educational app that incorporates visual learning, auditory learning, CBT practices and a comprehensive library resources.

Enugu: She Achieve company from Queens school, Enugu. Their product is an e-learning website which is aimed at providing quality education for girls to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4

Anambra: Mystical Global Company from Rosa Mystica college. Their product is a plastic speed bump with a sensor.  It notifies  drivers about bumps when they are meters away and their product aims to reduce the rate of death caused by road accidents.

Rivers: Gifted Minds Student Company from Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Rumukwurushi. They produced a hydro-electric generator to convert flood waste water into light energy; waterproof wallet to secure paper money and other valuables against water damage; bottled waste-bin and more.

Abuja: Emerald Crest Enterprise from Government Secondary School, Karshi. They are a social enterprise that recycles, creates awareness on waste materials and also links people together with solid waste especially for manufacturing companies industries to turn  into raw materials.

Nasarawa: Young talented company, Kabayi from  Kabayi Secondary School Maraba. They made a rechargeable blender with several functions such as mixing, chopping, crushing and pureeing or emulsifying food and other substances.

Jos: Matrix Company from Rhemaville Christian Academy, Jos, they made a bell system which uses IOT (Internet of Things Technology). The bell is connected to laptop, tablet or smart devices and can be set via smartphones and laptops.

Kaduna: Despring Achievers Company from Divine Spring School. They developed an Electric Alarm System for protection of lives and properties, to detect illegal entry and to be used as a public alarm system.

Kano: KC Integrated Services from Kano Capital Girls Secondary School. They produced a neem oil, extracted from Azachdrata Indica which serves as an antifungal and anti inflammatory oil. 

The JA Company Program which was initiated by Junior Achievement WorldWide with the intention of developing and fostering senior secondary school students’ entrepreneurial skills has been in place in Nigeria for over two decades. Over the years, we’ve witnessed success stories from our student alumni;  the launch of businesses, networking opportunities, employment opportunities, and more. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed sponsors for RCOY 2023; Boeing, Citi Foundation and Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation. Thank you for Investing in the economic development of young people across the country.