NLNG disburses grant to 51 entrepreneurs
By Fredrick Ameh
The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has concluded its 2026 VIBES Pitch-a-Thon programme with the disbursement of ₦250 million in grants to 51 entrepreneurs from its host communities in Rivers State.
The initiative, which combines structured capacity-building with direct financial support, is designed to help participants translate business knowledge into practical execution, strengthen enterprise growth, and stimulate job creation at the community level.
Speaking on the programme, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the intervention was aimed at bridging the gap between training and implementation for small business owners.
“What we are doing with this funding is bridging the gap between learning and execution… providing targeted support to help these entrepreneurs implement their ideas and position their businesses for growth,” she said.
Also speaking, Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Yemi Adeyemi, explained that the funding was structured to provide critical growth capital for beneficiaries to scale operations and improve productivity.
“The funding is intended to provide critical growth capital to enable beneficiaries to expand operations, improve productivity, create jobs, and strengthen their market position,” he noted.
The VIBES initiative forms part of NLNG’s broader sustainable development strategy focused on empowering host communities through entrepreneurship development, skills acquisition, and inclusive economic participation.
By integrating training with financial backing, the programme aims to strengthen small businesses, enhance local productivity, and promote equitable economic growth within oil-producing communities.
Stakeholders say the intervention reflects a growing shift toward structured corporate social investment models that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term support, particularly in regions seeking economic diversification and youth empowerment.