What NEW ERA FOUNDATION does

New Era Foundation (NEF) is a non-governmental, non-political charitable organization founded in 2000 by Senator Oluremi Tinubu during her tenure as First Lady of Lagos State, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria with primary operations in Lagos and Ogun States. Its mission centers on the promotion of youth development and women empowerment, delivered through a portfolio of free educational and extracurricular programs targeting public primary and secondary school students, youth aged 5–17, and physically challenged athletes. Core programs include the flagship annual Spelling Bee Competition (initiated 2001, with winners serving as 'One-Day Governor' of Lagos State), the Council of One Day Governors (CODG) alumni network, the NEYOCA residential youth camp facility in Ibeju-Lekki, annual Leadership Camps, Financial Literacy Camps, MAD Science Camps, a Youth Exchange Programme with Finland, the Annual Wheelchair Tennis Championships (since 2006, in collaboration with the Nigerian Tennis Federation), and the NEF Junior Chef Competition (since 2005, with Nestlé Nigeria). Additional support mechanisms include a scholarship scheme providing N100,000 grants and educational publications.

The foundation operates through a partnership-driven, non-commercial model: all programs are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries, with funding derived from corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and institutional partnerships. Core partners include the Lagos State Ministry of Education (since 2001) and Ogun State Ministry of Education (since 2012) as co-organizers for the Spelling Bee, Dufil Prima Foods Plc (Indomie) as lead sponsor of the Spelling Bee since inception, Nestlé Nigeria Plc as partner for the Junior Chef Competition, Berger Paints Plc and the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) for NEYOCA vocational instruction, and LADOL Integrated Logistics Enterprise for the FIT Youth Leadership Programme. NEF does not sell products or services and has no disclosed revenue, technology platform, or API. Its distribution relies entirely on direct program delivery in collaboration with state government education ministries and corporate sponsors, with marketing conducted through its official website and earned media coverage in Nigerian outlets such as Vanguard.

Name

NEW ERA FOUNDATION

Legal name

New Era Foundation

Website

https://newerafoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

New Era Foundation is a Nigerian non-profit founded in 2000 by Senator Oluremi Tinubu that delivers free youth development programs — including the annual Spelling Bee, NEYOCA residential camps, Leadership and Financial Literacy camps, and Wheelchair Tennis Championships — to public school students and youth in Lagos and Ogun States, funded by corporate sponsors and government education ministry partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Education Nonprofit

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Volunteer Program Funding, Scholarships & Fundraising Support (EDAIAGAO)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Educational competitions
• Leadership training
• Nonprofit foundation
• Women empowerment

Headquarters

HQ city

ENNIS, Texas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

New Era Foundation is a Nigerian nonprofit charitable organization that designs and delivers youth development programs free of charge to beneficiaries. Its offerings include the annual Spelling Bee Competition (with the unique One-Day Governor prize), the NEYOCA residential youth camp in Lagos, leadership and financial literacy camps, a youth exchange programme to Finland, the Wheelchair Tennis Championships, and the NEF Junior Chef Competition. Programs are funded through corporate sponsorships, donations, and partnerships with state education ministries.

Product overview

New Era Foundation is a non-governmental, non-political charitable organization founded in 2000, focused on youth development and women empowerment in Nigeria. The foundation operates a portfolio of educational and youth development programs including the annual Spelling Bee Competition (initiated in 2001), the Council of One Day Governors (CODG) peer mentoring network, NEYOCA residential youth camp, Leadership Camps, Financial Literacy Camps, MAD Science Camps, Youth Exchange Programme, Wheelchair Tennis Championships, and the NEF Junior Chef Competition. These programs are complemented by scholarship schemes and educational publications. The organization partners with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Dufil Prima Foods (Indomie), and other corporate sponsors to deliver its youth development mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NEF Spelling Bee Competition Annual spelling competition for public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria; winners serve as One Day Governor and receive cash prizes, scholarships, and an educational excursion to Finland.
• Council of One Day Governors (CODG) Peer mentoring group of past Spelling Bee Competition winners and runners-up who continue to participate in NEF activities and leadership development programs.
• NEYOCA (New Era Youth Camp) Coeducational residential facility for youths aged 7-17 located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, offering leadership training, vocational skills, and character development programs.
• NEYOCA Leadership Camps Annual residential leadership development program for children aged 5-17 covering ICT, Leadership and Citizenship, MAD Science, Home Science, Music, bead making, sports, and team activities.
• Financial Literacy Camps Program teaching young people essential values on basic financial management and investment culture using Accelerated Learning techniques, including interactive classes and role playing.
• MAD Science Camps Creative educational program providing engaging and interactive science experiences designed for summer programmes, schools, libraries, museums, and children's organisations.
• Youth Exchange Programme Cultural exchange programme with European countries including Finland, where past Spelling Bee winners travel abroad to engage with youths from other nations.
• Wheelchair Tennis Championships Annual wheelchair tennis tournament organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Tennis Federation since 2006, providing psycho-social support and competitive integration for physically challenged athletes.
• NEF Junior Chef Competition Culinary competition organized in collaboration with Nestlé Nigeria Plc (Maggi Junior Chef) to inculcate cooking skills in young persons.
• NEF Scholarship Scheme Scholarship grants of N100,000 each provided to students with outstanding abilities to further their education in tertiary institutions.
• NEF Publications Educational publications including Spelling Bee Practice Kits, essay compilations, and books on political topics authored by or involving NEF participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20+ years of continuous Spelling Bee competition since 2001, producing 17+ One-Day Governors
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Ogun State Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partnership to replicate the Spelling Bee Competition in Ogun State, with MOU signed in 2012 for the inaugural Ogun State Spelling Bee.
• LADOL Integrated Logistics EnterprisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partnership for the FIT (Friendship, Inspiration, Training) Youth Leadership Programme in 2012, focusing on leadership and personal development training for youth.
• Lagos State Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Long-standing partnership for the annual Spelling Bee Competition, co-organized with the ministry since 2001. The ministry provides institutional support and venues while NEF provides program design and execution.
• Dufil Prima Foods Plc (Indomie)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of the Lagos State Spelling Bee Competition since inception in 2001. Provides cash prizes, educational materials, and ongoing support for quality education initiatives.
• Nigeria Tennis FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration since 2006 for the Annual Wheelchair Tennis Championships. NEF organizes the event while the federation provides technical support and international integration.
• Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical and vocational training facilitation at NEYOCA camps, providing instruction in masonry, electrical work, garment making, and creative painting.
• Berger Paints PlcminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of creative painting classes at NEYOCA leadership camps, providing facilitators and paint supplies.
• Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported the 2014 Leadership Camp as a partner organization.
• Yinka Folawiyo Group of CompaniesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the Wheelchair Tennis Championships.
• Hi Media Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Wheelchair Tennis Championships and other programs.
• Nestle PlcminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the NEF Junior Chef Competition (Maggi Junior Chef), providing sponsorship and prizes.
• GTBankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting foundation programs.
• LASACO InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among foundation partners.
• Eleganza Group of Companies Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among foundation partners.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SOS Children's Villages Nigeria: Operates residential care and youth development programs in Nigeria; comparable as a youth-focused organization running residential facilities and long-term development programs for young people.
• LEAP Africa: Nigerian nonprofit delivering youth leadership, civic engagement, and employability programs; comparable mission and beneficiary profile (Nigerian youth) with similar residential and training-program model.
• Junior Achievement Nigeria: Nigerian affiliate of JA Worldwide delivering financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education to youth; directly overlaps with NEF's Financial Literacy Camps and Junior Chef programs targeting school-age children.
• African Leadership Academy: Pan-African residential institution developing youth leadership across the continent; comparable as a residential youth leadership and college-preparatory organization serving African students with multi-sector curricula.
• Tony Elumelu Foundation: Nigeria-based philanthropic foundation supporting youth entrepreneurship and leadership development across Africa; directly comparable as a high-profile Nigerian foundation running youth-targeted programs with corporate sponsorship.
• FATE Foundation: Nigeria-based foundation running youth entrepreneurship and capacity-building programs; comparable as a Nigerian foundation serving youth through structured training and development initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Dangote Foundation: Largest Nigerian corporate foundation running health, education, and economic-empowerment programs at national scale; comparable as a major Nigerian philanthropic foundation but with much broader scope and budget.
• MTN Foundation: Nigerian corporate foundation of MTN Group funding education, youth, and health programs; comparable as a large Nigerian corporate foundation running youth-targeted initiatives with national reach.

Regional players

• Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: South African nonprofit addressing youth unemployment through skills and employer-matching programs; comparable as a youth workforce-readiness organization with structured program models, but operating in a different geography.
• Mandela Rhodes Foundation: Africa-wide scholarship and leadership program for African youth (anchored in South Africa); comparable as a scholarship and leadership-development foundation for African youth, but geographically distinct from NEF's Nigerian focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-era-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NEW ERA FOUNDATION