The Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit (OES) has announced the next phase of its ₦200 Million Grant Scheme, confirming that shortlisted applicants will proceed to physical screening and mandatory training after the completion of the initial review stage. The update was issued following the closure of the application portal on 9 January 2026.
According to OES, more than 500 applications were received during the open call period. All entries were assessed using a structured scoring rubric based on responses submitted in the multiple-choice section of the application form, measured against an established cut-off benchmark. At the end of the evaluation, 111 applicants met the required score and were shortlisted to advance to the next phase of the process.
The OES Screening Committee disclosed that the next stage will begin with a compulsory training session scheduled for Saturday, 14 February 2026, by 10:00 AM. The venue for the training will be communicated to shortlisted applicants on or before Wednesday, 11 February 2026. The list of successful candidates is contained in a document titled “OES Grant Stage One Shortlisted Applicants.”
The committee stressed that being shortlisted at this stage does not automatically guarantee progression to subsequent phases of the grant. “All shortlisted candidates will undergo further verification at the training venue to confirm proof of Ogoni origin and attendance at the OES Summit 2025,” the committee stated.
Shortlisted applicants are required to attend the training wearing their OES T-shirt and present a valid ID card, such as a Voters Card, Drivers License, or International Passport, alongside a Local Government Identification Letter. OES clarified that applicants who attended the summit but did not receive an OES T-shirt may still participate, as verification will be conducted using the official summit attendance register. The same arrangement applies to approved virtual attendees.
OES also provided an update on applicants who were not included in the initial shortlist. A total of 439 applicants have been placed on a separate list titled “OES Grant Applicants for Further Screening” and are invited to undergo physical screening for a chance to join the shortlisted pool.
The physical screening for this group is scheduled to run from Tuesday, 10 February, to Thursday, 12 February 2026. Applicants are advised to check OES social media platforms for their specific screening date and time. They are expected to attend with their OES T-shirt, valid ID card, and Local Government Identification Letter, with the same verification flexibility extended to those without T-shirts.
The screening venue is Giolee Global Resources Corporate Headquarters, located near the Army Range and C4i Checkpoint in Eneka, Port Harcourt. For ease of access, applicants may board a tricycle from the Eneka Flyover Igwuruta loading point and inform the driver they are stopping at Giolee or White House.
OES appreciated patience shown by applicants, noting that the process is designed to ensure transparency overall.
