By Ayomide Otitoju
Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has unveiled plans to award N50 million to winners of its upcoming FUZE 3.0 talent show. The announcement was made by the Executive Director of Business Development, Nike Bajomo, during a media parley for the FUZE festival in Lagos.
Bajomo explained that the event, which celebrates technology, fashion, dance, music, and other creative sectors, aims to empower Nigerian youths by offering a platform for artistic expression and innovation. She emphasized that FUZE is not just a competition but an initiative to support youth talent and development.
“In each category, the winner will receive N7.5 million, while the first and second runners-up will get N3 million and N2 million respectively,” Bajomo stated. “FUZE is about empowerment, providing an opportunity for young talents to showcase their skills. In a country with limited job opportunities, we want to help these young people turn their talents into viable careers.”
The Head of Business Development at Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Kenneth Omeogu, revealed that participation for this year’s event has doubled, with a significant increase in entries from Lagos. “We’ve improved our platform for registration, and the number of participants has grown considerably,” he said.
The talent show features a panel of industry judges, including Nonso Asobe, who highlighted the dual focus on talent and personal development. Fashion judge Olufunke Adepoju noted that the show offers much-needed visibility to participants in the creative industries. “This is not just about winning,” she remarked, “but about giving participants exposure to help them grow their craft.”
Music judge Korede Bello reinforced the importance of the platform, expressing hope for the emergence of new stars. “Stanbic IBTC has created a huge platform, and we look forward to seeing rising stars,” Bello said.
Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Olumide Oyetan, reflected on the success of previous seasons of the FUZE talent show. “It’s more than a competition; it’s a catalyst for dreams. Past seasons have produced 24 winners and gained global attention, and we hope to surpass that this year,” he said.
With a total prize pool of N50 million, FUZE 3.0 is expected to continue its role as a launchpad for talented Nigerian youths across various fields.
