IBADAN — The 2026 BEMORE Empowered Girls Summer Bootcamp has ended in Ibadan, Oyo State, with Founder, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, celebrating the achievements of the girls and commending the facilitators, partners, sponsors and support teams who contributed to the success of the two-week empowerment programme.
The bootcamp, which commenced earlier in August, brought together girls for intensive training in digital technology, renewable energy, vocational skills, leadership, financial literacy, health education, sports, music and personal development.
As the programme reached its climax, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu described the success of BEMORE as a product of teamwork, dedication and a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of young women.
Although she was unable to be physically present throughout the camp because of other demanding engagements, the Founder said reports reaching her confirmed that the programme had gone remarkably well.
She expressed deep appreciation to the Chief Matron, drivers, coordinators, facilitators, instructors, caterers, welfare team, technical crew, administrators and volunteers, noting that everyone understood their responsibilities and played a vital role in delivering the programme.
According to her, a programme of such magnitude could not succeed through the efforts of one person but required many people bringing their skills, discipline, commitment and goodwill together for a common purpose.
BEMORE: More Than A Summer Bootcamp
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu said one of the things that continues to excite her about BEMORE is the exceptional talent emerging from its community of girls and alumnae.
She stressed that BEMORE was not merely about teaching girls or preparing them to pass examinations, but about discovering their potential and providing them with the platform to become who they were capable of becoming.
She cited the example of Paradise Nwaozuzu, a BEMORE alumna who composed and produced a birthday song for her, with the song subsequently becoming part of the musical score accompanying the camp’s daily activities.
She also highlighted Aminat Adegoke, who stepped forward to use her skills in make-up and gele styling when the need arose.
For the Founder, such examples demonstrated the broader impact of the BEMORE vision — creating an environment where hidden talents are discovered, confidence is built, creativity is encouraged and young women learn to solve problems and contribute meaningfully.
She said the ability of the girls to create, innovate, support one another and rise to challenges showed that the BEMORE dream was “alive and thriving.”
NAFA-BEMORE Partnership
The Founder also paid special tribute to the Nigeria America Football Association (NAFA), which introduced flag football to the BEMORE programme and continued the partnership for a second year.
She noted that the sport had become one of the activities the girls looked forward to, providing not only entertainment but also lessons in teamwork, communication, discipline, strategy, resilience and healthy competition.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed hope that the NAFA-BEMORE partnership would continue, describing such collaborations as important in exposing the girls to opportunities beyond the classroom.
Appreciation To Sponsors And Partners
The Founder equally appreciated the sponsors, technical partners and supporters whose contributions helped make the programme possible.
She said their support represented more than funding a summer camp, describing it as an investment in the future of girls, families, communities and the nation.
She also thanked All Saints’ College, Ibadan, for providing a serene, secure and conducive environment for the programme, while commending facilitators, instructors, resource persons and welfare teams for their contributions.
Parents and guardians who entrusted their daughters to the programme were also appreciated for their confidence in BEMORE.
Day 12: Alumnae Return To Inspire The Girls
Against this backdrop, Day 12 of the bootcamp focused on reflection, mentorship, health education, practical skills and sports.
The day began with Taekwondo drills and general physical exercises, followed by fruits and breakfast before alumnae returned to share their experiences with the current cohort.
Bimbo, a BEMORE alumna and LLB student, encouraged the girls to maximise every opportunity available to them. She shared how she used her time at the bootcamp to learn coding and other technical skills, despite the demands of her academic programme.
Christianah Madu, another alumna, explained how the solar energy skills she acquired at BEMORE as a teenager opened doors to innovative and profitable opportunities.
Marvellous, a BEMORE alumna who has gone on to become a CEO, also shared how the programme broadened her innovative thinking and equipped her with practical skills that helped her establish her own business.
Menstrual Hygiene And Reusable Pad Production
The mentorship session was followed by a health education class on Menstrual Hygiene Management, led by Marvellous.
The girls were educated on understanding their bodies, maintaining personal hygiene during menstruation and the proper use of sanitary pads.
They also participated in a practical session on producing reusable sanitary pads, learning measurements, cutting techniques and other aspects of production.
The exercise combined health education with practical skills that could potentially support self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
Baking And Flag Football
The afternoon featured the final recap of the skills acquisition programme, with Mrs. Adetunji taking the girls through vanilla cake, chocolate cake and fondant icing.
The girls participated in the preparation, baking and decoration processes as they consolidated the baking skills acquired during the bootcamp.
Later, the NAFA Team organised a flag football competition, with groups including Brown Star and Warrior battling for victory.
The Warrior Group emerged champions after defeating Brown Star 2–1 in the final.
Day 13: Girls Put Their Knowledge To The Test
Day 13 marked the assessment stage of the bootcamp, with the girls sitting for examinations designed to measure the knowledge and competencies they had acquired during the programme.
The ICT examination was a 30-question Computer-Based Test drawn from the Matrix Lab curriculum and lasted approximately 40 minutes.
The girls were also assessed through a written ASHDAM SOLAR examination covering the solar energy knowledge and practical lessons they had received during the camp.
The examinations were part of the programme’s broader evaluation process, designed to determine not only what the girls had learnt but also whether the training had produced the desired impact.
Financial Literacy For Future Entrepreneurs
The academic assessments were followed by a financial literacy session led by Mr. Yomi Egbukuyomi.
The session focused on money management, entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices, with the girls introduced to the 50-30-20 budgeting rule.
They were encouraged to develop responsible financial habits, understand savings and make informed decisions as they prepare for future careers and businesses.
Final Skills Assessment
The final skills assessment was conducted by Mrs. Adetunji, who evaluated the girls on different aspects of baking taught during the programme.
She expressed satisfaction with their performance and affirmed that the girls had acquired enough knowledge to pursue areas of baking that matched their interests.
The assessment brought the vocational training component of the two-week bootcamp to a close.
Olorundare Fisayo Gloria Emerges Valedictorian
At the closing ceremony, BEMORE’s tradition of celebrating excellence took centre stage as Olorundare Fisayo Gloria of SDG 2 was announced as the 2026 BEMOREOYO Valedictorian.
Fisayo was recognised for her performance, commitment and overall participation throughout the programme.
She received the Founder’s Prize of ₦50,000.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu congratulated the young achiever and urged her to wear the honour with humility and allow it to inspire her to pursue even greater accomplishments.
She equally reminded every BEMORE Girl that excellence was within reach for anyone prepared to participate fully, learn, work hard and give their best.
‘Being A BEMORE Girl Is A Responsibility’
In her message to the girls, the Founder urged them to take everything they had learnt beyond the camp.
She challenged them to use their knowledge, creativity, technology, confidence and talents to make a difference wherever they found themselves.
“Being a BEMORE Girl is not simply about attending a bootcamp. It is a responsibility and a way of life,” she told them.
She urged the girls to become women who lift others as they rise, solve problems rather than complain about them, dare to dream and possess the courage to pursue those dreams.
She also reminded them to remember the girls coming behind them and, whenever they succeed, to reach back and help another girl rise.
‘Keep Making Grandma Proud’
The Founder concluded her message with an encouragement to the girls to continue learning, creating, challenging themselves, breaking barriers and making a difference.
“Keep shining. Keep learning. Keep creating. Keep challenging yourselves. Keep breaking barriers. Keep making a difference. And most importantly, keep making Grandma proud!” she told them.
She stressed that while the physical camp had ended, the BEMORE journey would continue through the friendships, learning, innovation, sisterhood and impact created during the programme.
The 2026 edition therefore ended not merely as a two-week training exercise, but as another chapter in BEMORE’s continuing effort to raise confident, skilled, innovative and purpose-driven young women capable of creating meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
BEMORE to the world.
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