Entry Rules
General Eligibility Requirements:
1. Legal Rights
Applicants must have full legal rights to operate their business and submit the application. All submitted materials, including documents and intellectual property, must belong to the applicant or be used with proper authorization.
2. Operational Requirement (minimum 6 months in operation)
Businesses must have been fully operational for at least six (6) months prior to the application deadline. Proof of business activity, registration, or market presence may be required during verification.
3. Innovation and Development
Applicants must demonstrate originality, innovation, or measurable development within their industry. The initiative, product, or service submitted should show clear advancement, creativity, or strategic improvement.
4. Single Entry per Category
Each applicant may submit only one entry per award category. Multiple submissions within the same category are not permitted and may result in disqualification.
5. Previous Winners (restrictions apply)
Previous winners may reapply; however, entries must demonstrate new developments or significant improvements since their last award. Repeat submissions of previously awarded projects are not eligible.
6. Compliance with Laws
All applicants must operate in full compliance with applicable local, national, and international laws and regulations. Any legal disputes, violations, or unethical practices may lead to disqualification.
7. Non-Discrimination
The Award maintains a strict policy of non-discrimination. Participation and evaluation are conducted without regard to race, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or other protected characteristics.
8. Conflict of Interest
Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to organizers, sponsors, or judges. Failure to disclose relevant conflicts may result in immediate disqualification.
Eligibility:
- Open to SMEs with a maximum of 100 employees.
- Open to businesses of all sizes and sectors operating within Nigeria.
- Businesses must be registered and active for at least one year prior to the entry date.
- Entrants must be operating within Nigeria.
- Entrants may apply to up to 3 categories but cannot enter a category they have won twice before.
- The CEO or a Senior representative must authorize the entry.
Entry Requirements:
- Detailed descriptions of the business, including milestones and achievements.
- Supporting evidence like financial reports, customer testimonials, and third-party endorsements.
- Entries must be submitted in English.
- A fee of NGN 36,500 (inclusive of VAT) per category entry is required. This fee is non-refundable.
Submission Process:
- All entries are to be submitted via the official online portal.
- Attachments must not exceed specified sizes.
- Entrants may apply for up to three categories.
Judging Process:
- Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected for their expertise in various business sectors.
- Judging will involve the evaluation of written submissions, interviews, and possibly site visits.
- Judges include sponsors and respected experts in various fields. They reserve the right to reassign entries to different categories.
- All decisions made by the judges are final and binding.
General Conditions:
- All entries are treated as confidential but will be shared with judges.
- Entry fees are applicable for each category entered and are non-refundable.
- Entrants may withdraw from the competition by notifying the organizers in writing.
Awards Presentation:
- Winners must be present at the awards ceremony to receive their award.
- Awards must be accepted as presented and cannot be transferred or exchanged.
Deadline:
- Submission Deadline: Entries must be submitted by September 30, 2025.
- Awards Ceremony: Scheduled for December 2025.
Additional Rules:
- Disqualification: Entries that do not comply with the rules, are incomplete or fraudulent, may be disqualified.
- Past Winners: Winners from the previous year are not eligible to enter the same category in the following year.
- Liability and Indemnity: Entrants agree to indemnify the organizers against any claims arising from the infringement of intellectual property or personal rights.
- Publicity: By entering, participants agree to participate in promotional activities.
- Attendance: Finalists are expected to attend the awards ceremony. Costs associated with attendance are the responsibility of the finalists.
- Intellectual Property: Entrants retain all rights to their ideas and projects, but the organization reserves the right to use non-sensitive information for promotional purposes.
- Changes and Cancellations: The organizers reserve the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the awards due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Refund policy – Grand Final Tickets and Adverts, there is a 100% refund* within 60 days of the event, 50% refund* within 45 days of the event and zero refund within 30 days of the event.
- Refund policy – There is zero refund on all merchandise due to the nature of our ordering process.
- By entering the awards, you permit us to use personal information collected during the registration process to administer the awards and receive/distribute additional information about the awards and other relevant events from time to time. To opt out, please send an email to support@businessandenterpriseaward.com.ng.
Please be aware that any financial information provided will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone other than the panel of judges.