Two years ago, I embarked on my journey as an aspiring social entrepreneur, filled with enthusiasm but lacking experience.
Enrolling in the Social Entrepreneurship Master's program at Tallinn University, gave me the opportunity to participate in a business idea development program, STARTERTallinn, which gave me the experience of knowing about starting your one's own business.
Throughout my journey in the Social Entrepreneurship Master's program, I acquired an array of tools and skills to leverage my social capital, such as the social business canvas, value proposition canvas, and social impact measurement. These resources enabled me to effectively pursue my intended goals, refine my ideas, and create strategies that make a significant positive impact.
At a certain point in my journey, my groupmate and I coordinated a Social hackathon - Hack Social Issues 2022. This was our initial venture into project management, delving deep into the intricacies of organizing an event.
Through the SEIP University cooperation, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse team and work on a social enterprise project, Smart Kitchen in Uganda, which aligned with my interest in community development and sustainability.
I incorporated all of my experiences, including my participation in the SEIP internship program, into my project thesis, "Development of an Initiative to Support Organic Farmers in West Africa - Nigeria."
The project thesis not only highlighted the importance of organic farming in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving food security but also discusses the specific challenges faced by organic farmers in Nigeria.
My proposed project aims to create a centralized online platform in Abuja that connects organic farmers with consumers, allowing direct purchases and interactions. Through this platform, consumers can learn about organic farming practices, farm stories, and products, fostering knowledge and relationships between farmers and consumers. The project is designed to continuously evolve, identifying market opportunities and addressing gaps to provide ongoing support for organic farmers. There is also potential for expansion beyond Abuja to other states in Nigeria, which would contribute to the growth of organic agriculture and provide more opportunities for farmers to increase their revenue and profits.
I am eager to conduct additional testing on my prototype and proceed with the project implementation. At present, my colleague Jenifer Irabor and I are fully responsible for overseeing SEIP Africa, which is currently hosting its inaugural online incubation program.
"Embrace the empowering expedition of social entrepreneurship, where the fusion of business acumen and social impact unlocks the potential to reshape our world, one venture at a time."