A day ago, Pastor Jerry Eze announced a major empowerment initiative that has since captured the attention of entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts across Nigeria and beyond.

According to him, the Jerry Eze Foundation will be rolling out an empowerment grant of $300,000 targeted at 100 young entrepreneurs operating within the agricultural, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

He revealed that each successful applicant will receive $3,000 to either support an existing business or help pioneer a new venture. In a bid to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability, Pastor Jerry Eze stated that the entire funding and distribution process will be handled by a reputable international consulting firm.

Barely ten hours after the initial announcement, Pastor Jerry Eze returned with an update that further amplified excitement around the grant. He disclosed that some of his friends and corporate institutions had decided to add significantly to the original funding pool, increasing both the value of the grant and the number of beneficiaries.

According to him, Tonye Cole, entrepreneur and co-founder of Sahara Group, pledged to sponsor 20 young entrepreneurs, contributing $60,000. In the same spirit, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, also committed to funding another 20 entrepreneurs, adding an additional $60,000.

Beyond individual contributions, corporate institutions also stepped in. Nuvion Bank and Flutterwave jointly pledged support for 35 young entrepreneurs, amounting to $105,000. With these combined contributions, the total empowerment fund has now grown to $525,000, expanding the number of beneficiaries from 100 to 175 entrepreneurs.

Pastor Jerry Eze expressed deep appreciation to his friends, Tony Elumelu and Tonye Cole, as well as the financial institutions that helped increase the funding capacity of the initiative. He also shared another noteworthy update: the Tony Elumelu Foundation has committed to providing a 12-week business education course for all grant recipients, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills for sustainable business growth.

In addition, Flutterwave will be offering technical backstopping and support for awardees within the technology sector, further strengthening the impact of the grant beyond financial assistance.

Pastor Jerry Eze encouraged interested applicants to stay alert, noting that the criteria and selection process will be officially released in the coming days.The announcement has been met with overwhelming excitement among followers. While many are already hopeful and preparing to apply, others are confidently predicting that the empowerment fund could soon hit the $1 million mark.

ndeed, this development represents a significant boost for entrepreneurs and small business owners who are in dire need of funding, structure, and strategic support to scale their ideas.