Nigeria Leads Africa in Unilever Africa Ideas Trophy
Ni ger ia Team Apex has emerged tops in U nil ever Africa Idea Trophy 2016, a student business competition that provides unique opportunity to work on real-life business challenges with access to Unilever’s world-class training and insights from its leaders. The winning team emerged after months of grueling assessments that led to final presentations made in front of the U nil ever Africa Leadership Team, comprising of the Head of Africa and the other Africa regional heads.
Team Samba from South Africa was the runners-up. Second and third year students who made it to the final held in SouthAfrica, were selected after winning their respective country competitions. By completing each stage in their country competition, students gained experience and developed their employ ability, as well as real business acumen.
“With Africa’s youth between the ages of 15 and 25 representing 60% of the continents’ population, it is our duty as a top employer on the continent to do our bit in eradicating youth unemployment. All the students that participated in the country competition gained valuable skills and information that will make them job ready and employable while they leverage on their tertiary education,” said Patrick Hull, Leadership Development Director (Africa) for Unilever. The winning team of Jennifer Ikeokwu, Olamide Popoola and Adenkunle Adepoju, and the runners-up (Kwazini Zulu, Bongeka Dlamini and Lilly Nijila), will represent Africa at the Global competition that will take place in London.
“The case study we worked on tested our ability to solve real business problem and conceptualize an engaging and scalable marketing campaign for one of Unilever’s power brands. We are excited about the opportunity of competing against the best in the world and to make our families, countries and the rest of Africa proud,” said Jennifer Ikeokwu from Babcock University.As part of the UAIT Final, a Class ofConfidenceYouthEmployabilityworkshophosted 100 SouthAfrican students at the Gordon Institute of Business. The students had the opportunity to hear speakers talk to them about building their personal brand, enhancing their digital skills and unlocking career and entrepreneurial opportunities.
“Being a purpose-driven organisation that wants to create a bright future for all, means that Unilever will continue to invest in such initiatives that not only expose us to the future talent that the continent has to offer but also gives the students an opportunity to get a glimpse of the working world they may enter in a few years,” said Patrick.