The purpose of LiveWIRE is to improve opportunities for young people to realise their potential through the creation and development of their own businesses. Such businesses will contribute towards a more buoyant economy and communities with more fulfilled young people.

LiveWIRE Nigeria is a youth enterprise development programme supported by The Shell Petroleum Devlopment Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

What we aim to do in Nigeria

The objectives for the LiveWIRE Programme in Nigeria are to;

  • Raise business awareness amongst final year university students to encourage them to see starting a business as a valid career option
  • Assist youths to discover and develop business 'ideas' through Bright Ideas Workshops
  • Make available to youths that want to go on to start a business, business planning and management guidelines and skills through the Become A Successful Owner Manager Course (BSOM)
  • Run awards for best business plans, the price of which gives access to micro-credit facilities, through third parties like banks, NGOs and allied financial institutions
  • Run an award for young people who have sustained a business for 2 to 3 years and continue the award on an annual basis
  • Provide a volunteer mentoring programme for those who have completed the training course and decide to pursue starting their own business. Mentors can be drawn from oil & gas, banking, social voluntary sectors, etc.
  • Print and provide information on youth enterprise at LiveWIRE Resource Centre
  • Target Beneficiaries: Youths in the age range of 18 to 30 years.

Programme Coverage

The programme operates in the Niger Delta region and aims to inspire, encourage and support young people aged 18-35 to start up their own businesses in the Nigerian states of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo, and Akwa-Ibom.

The Benefits

For young people there is access to attractive, targeted, high quality, relevant programmes and opportunities to meet other young people with similar ambitions and challenges.

For the joint venture partners especially Shell, there are Public Relations, media and brand opportunities aimed at demonstrating commitment to local economic development. In addition because LiveWIRE works in the area of youth development and small business (which in nearly every country around the world are major political and social concerns), it can provide platforms to involve government to interact with youths/future leaders. LiveWIRE can also provide good opportunities for Shell Employee Volunteering programmes.

Apply Now

  • Are you aged 18 – 35 from the Niger Delta states?
  • Do you have an innovative business idea?
  • Do you desire to own and manage a business?
  • Do you possess a University degree or HND in any discipline?
  • Have you completed NYSC if applicable?
  • Not in paid employment

Programme Activities

Young Business Leaders Awards

Young Business Leaders Awards:

A prestigious cash awards programme for young owner managers who have been in business for up to 2 years and can demonstrate significant (best) progress in the areas of production/service, financial growth, employment opportunities generation, and improvements in management strategies. These awards are expected to help these young people to further grow and/or diversify their businesses.

Bright Ideas

Bright Ideas and Become a Successful Business Owner Manager (BSOM) workshops:

These are run for groups of young people to stimulate exchange of ideas, encourage good planning for the most viable business idea, and to facilitate a good foundation on which to start up businesses. At the end of the Bright Ideas Workshops, outstanding participants are encouraged to complete the BSOM training workshop, at the end of which there are opportunities for awards and/or micro-credit through partner organizations for business start up.

Business Awareness Forum

Business Awareness Forum:

This forum will provide a basic introduction to enterprise for young people as they prepare to graduate from universities. Potential business owners identified through this forum will be assisted further through a short BSOM course.

Business Information

Business Information and Enquiry Service:

By providing Business Opportunities Profiles (BOPs), young people are introduced to the requirements for starting a particular business in terms of; capital, legal, technical and human resources, and the market opportunities that exist for such a business.