Abuja, Nigeria — 13th September 2025 — The Daurama Foundation celebrated the virtual graduation of 39 young women from the Samira Buhari Mentorship Programme (SBMP), a 12-week initiative equipping emerging female leaders with leadership, career and digital skills under the theme “Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of Women Leaders.”
Over three months, participants received hands-on training in leadership and entrepreneurship, business development, career planning, public speaking, social media and content creation, and digital productivity tools such as Google Workspace, Canva and CapCut. The programme combined expert masterclasses, assignments, mock interviews and one-to-one coaching, culminating in the launch of an active alumni network.
Announcing the results, Dr. Samira Buhari, Founder of the Daurama Foundation, unveiled ₦3.5 million in cash prizes for the top performers: ₦2,000,000 for the overall winner, ₦1,000,000 for second place and ₦500,000 for third place. Each awardee also received a laptop, with the first-place winner additionally receiving a smartphone. Further laptops and phones will be distributed among the Top 20 mentees to support continued learning and enterprise.
The top awards went to Sandra Uchechi Odionye (overall winner), Cecilia Ipuole (second place) and Maryam Balarabe (third place). “This is far more than a ceremony; it is a celebration of courage and possibility,” said Dr. Samira Buhari. “Mentorship should open doors, nurture confidence and ignite a fire that lasts well beyond the classroom. When we invest in women, we transform communities, economies and nations. Women’s voices belong at the table, at the helm and at the heart of progress.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Director-General of NAPTIP, Angela Agbayekhai, Director of Counselling and Rehabilitation, praised the initiative and pledged ongoing collaboration: “Across our communities, girls and women face vulnerabilities that can echo across generations. What SBMP is doing, taking young women off the margins and empowering them is timely and essential. NAPTIP stands ready to partner so this momentum translates into safer, stronger futures.”
Mercy Ajeh, one of the programme mentors who taught Google Workspace, commended the participants’ drive: “These young women were hungry to learn and kept engaging beyond class—sharing calendars, drafting documents, even taking minutes. The structure held them to a high standard and they rose to it. My message is simple: keep learning, use your community and deliver excellence.”
Graduate Fatima Shema shared how the programme changed her path: “SBMP gave me confidence and direction. The day after our mock interviews, I passed a real interview and got the job. I’ve found my voice, and I’m building a creative enterprise that creates opportunities for other women.”
The ceremony also acknowledged the support of NAPTIP, the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, the FCTA Women Affairs Secretariat, and the dedicated staff and volunteers whose contributions ensured the smooth delivery of the programme.
The Samira Buhari Mentorship Programme is an initiative of the Daurama Foundation that develops capable, confident and employable young women through practical training, mentorship and a vibrant alumni network. The programme blends leadership development, enterprise skills and digital literacy to accelerate social and economic impact.
The Daurama Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment, education and community development, providing opportunities for girls and women across Nigeria and beyond.
