Popular Nigerian food brand Sooyah Bistro has launched an entrepreneurial empowerment programme tagged “Sooyah Dreams,” awarding over ₦500,000 in grants to emerging business owners across the country.
The initiative, which ran from September 1 to 15, 2025, was designed to fund and mentor young Nigerians with innovative business ideas, reflecting the company’s commitment to nurturing new enterprises and inspiring others through its own success story.
At an award ceremony held at the Sooyah Bistro outlet in Oniru, Lagos, Victoria Orleans emerged as the overall winner, receiving ₦250,000 to expand her poultry business and support a charitable initiative for children with special needs.
Nwokolo Blessing, a private chef reimagining Nigerian cuisine, secured the first runner-up prize of ₦150,000, while several other participants shared consolation awards totalling ₦100,000.
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Speaking at the event, Olamidun Ogundoyin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sooyah Bistro, said the initiative draws inspiration from her own entrepreneurial beginnings, which started with a single grill and just ₦20,000.
“Sooyah Dreams is more than a campaign; it’s a commitment to those who are bold enough to start small and dream big,” she said. “Every successful business begins with courage, and our role is to fuel that courage through funding, mentorship, and community support.”
Ogundoyin noted that the Sooyah Dreams programme would become an annual feature of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, with plans to invest millions of naira in youth enterprise development. She emphasized that empowering small business owners contributes to local economic growth, job creation, and innovation.
Participants at the event shared inspiring stories of perseverance and creativity, describing the initiative as a source of renewed motivation and visibility for their ventures.
According to the organisers, Sooyah Dreams aligns with the company’s broader philosophy of combining commerce with community impact. From its modest beginnings as a street food outlet, Sooyah Bistro has evolved into a nationally recognised brand and now seeks to use its platform to inspire Nigeria’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by Sooyah Bistro to continue investing in youth empowerment and sustainable enterprise development across Nigeria.
