Bolaji Junaid Mentorship Program (BJuMP) empowered the future of marketing and business professionals
Established in 2021, the Bolaji Junaid Mentorship Program (BJuMP) was conceived to address the dearth of highly skilled talents in the Marketing and Communications industry. Bolaji Junaid, an alumni of the renowned “Insight Management Traineeship program”, recognized the potential of collective mentorship for fresh graduates and transitioning professionals in addressing this industry-wide challenge.
The 2023 edition of BJuMP, a 10-week intensive mentorship program that commenced on 1st August, revolutionized the learning experience for its participants. This comprehensive program encompassed exchange programs with leading organizations spanning the creative, PR, media agencies, print/television houses, client business, and tech firms. Additionally, it offered soft skills training, multi-disciplinary coaching, and on the job training for the selected candidates.
The program’s execution took inspiration from a blend of management traineeship and classroom formats, drawing from popular business and entertainment reality show concepts such as Dragons Den, Apprentice Africa and BIG BROTHER. The ultimate goal was to ensure that participants not only acquired essential skills but also had an engaging and enjoyable learning experience while becoming adept marketing and business professionals.
Cross section of Judges listening to the mentees’ pitches
This year’s program saw an impressive response, with over 60 applications received. After a rigorous selection process comprising tests and interviews, the top five candidates were chosen: Faith Ejembi, Olajide Ogunyemi, Oyinloluwa Akeredolu, Tolulope Oga and Mary Fadeyi.
BJuMP’s success was attributed, in part, to its strategic partners and Co-mentors, who shared the program’s vision for nurturing future industry leaders. These partners included WhyFinite, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mouka foam, BUA Foods, AT3 Resources, Just Brand it, SBI Media, Upinthesky, Tcrown food, and Utiva.
Throughout the program, the mentees engaged in an array of technical and soft skills training sessions facilitated by industry professionals. The courses covered a wide spectrum of topics, including Understanding Briefs and Research, The Business of Creativity, Emotional Intelligence, Introduction to Finance for Consultants, and Mental Health and Work-Life Balance, among many others.
L-R: Faith Ejembi, Olajide Ogunyemi, Mary Fadeyi and Tolulope Oga, the successful mentees of 2023 cohort of the Bolaji Junaid Mentorship Programme (BJuMP)
A significant highlight of the program was the working visits that mentees enjoyed at top companies in Nigeria. These visits offered a hands-on experience within prominent industry players such as AT3 Resources, SBI Media Group, Utiva, Justbrandit, and Upinthesky.
The grand finale of the BJuMP journey was the graduation pitch event, held on 20th October, where mentees had the opportunity to showcase their acquired knowledge and skills through the presentation and interpretation of an assigned brief.
“The presentations at the graduation pitch event were nothing short of remarkable. These young professionals have clearly benefited from the program’s comprehensive mentorship.” Remarked Omolara Banjoko, Marketing Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO.
Nengi Akinola, Head of Marketing and Branding at Fairmoney said “It’s inspiring to see the transformation in these mentees. BJuMP has truly prepared them to excel in the marketing and business world.”
In recognition of their remarkable performance, the best-performing mentee, Olajide Ogunyemi, was awarded prizes worth over three hundred thousand naira and a full time role at WhyFinite Martech Limited. While Mary Fadeyi carted home the award for being the most punctual and consistent mentee during the program.
Olajide Ogunyemi delivering his winning presentation at the graduation pitch
The overarching vision of BJuMP is to mold the next generation of stars with a multifaceted background in marketing, entertainment, and technology. This program remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of marketing and business professionals and creating a brighter future for the industry.
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