Jerry Eze empowers 240 entrepreneurs with $720,000

Popular cleric, Jerry Eze, recently held a grand ceremony in Abuja to commemorate the disbursement of grants worth over $720,000 to 240 selected beneficiaries.

The event, which took place at the Transcorp Hilton hotel, saw each beneficiary receive $3,000 to start, scale, or transform their businesses.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, recounted how he once ordered an investigation into Eze over suspected financial irregularities but found no evidence of wrongdoing.

“I investigated this man for six months for money laundering. We work by intelligence; we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was a domiciliary account, and dollars and pounds were dropping into it like raindrops from Colombia, America, Sri Lanka, even from Togo. I asked, ‘Who is this man?’ and they told me it was one pastor, Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy. So we went into investigation and combed the books,” he said.

He added that after reviewing the findings, he invited Eze, not for questioning, but to commend him. “I didn’t call you here to explain to me—we have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he said.

In his remarks, Eze expressed gratitude to guests for attending and reflected on his inspiration for giving, which he attributed to his late mother. He shared personal memories of her generosity and its influence on his life.

“What is life if people don’t experience love through you?” he said, as he became emotional, describing his journey as one shaped by grace.

Also speaking, former Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, Ibukun Awosika, described the initiative as a bridge between potential and execution.

“Today, the Jerry Eze Foundation has done something profound; it has built a bridge between potential and progress, and each awardee must harness their potential to the fullest. The smartest entrepreneurs are not the ones who know everything; they are the ones who know they do not,” she said.

Awosika also urged beneficiaries to embrace collaboration and shared learning, noting that growth comes from leveraging the experiences of others.

Former Minister of Education and ex-World Bank Vice President (Africa region), Oby Ezekwesili, encouraged beneficiaries to focus on scale and long-term impact.

The ceremony attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria’s government, business, faith, and entertainment sectors. Among those in attendance were Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa, Oliver Alawuba; CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola; founder of Delborough Group, Stanley Uzochukwu; and businessman Obi Cubana.

Other notable guests included religious leaders Poju Oyemade and Emmanuel Iren, as well as entertainment figures such as Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tonto Dikeh, Cross Okonkwo, Timi Dakolo, and Bucci Franklin.

The initiative is part of ongoing efforts by the Jerry Eze Foundation to empower entrepreneurs and support small businesses across Nigeria.