Dr. Saeed Jumah: 2013 winner of the Tony Elumelu Prize for Business

 

In partnership with Red Media, the organisers of the annual Future Awards, Nigeria; the Tony Elumelu Foundation will present over the next five years, the award which includes a N3 million prize as well as an additional N1.5 million to be used towards a project of the recipient’s choosing.

Dr. Jumah was selected for his passion and dedication to creating dental awareness in North-Western Nigeria. He is the founder and CEO of The Smile Shop; a one-stop dental center providing quality dental treatment/services, and retail dental products/accessories. Based in Kano—with plans for additional units in

Abuja, Lagos and Accra within the next 2 years—The Smile Shop is actively involved in dental awareness through various programs and online (social media). It has also received wide media recognition, including a documentary profiling its high standards and quality facilities.

 

 

A published author whose book series– illustrated children’s dental book series, “Toothie and Friends”—which is distributed through his innovative schools campaign, Dr. Jumah also hosts a weekly dental health programme—The Dental Show with Dr. Smyls—on a popular radio station in Kano through which he reaches several communities over 3 million people across North-Western Nigeria to promote improved dental health and practices; and also providing free dental check up to school children. Like Tony O Elumelu, after whom the award is named, Dr. Jumah is also committed to helping other aspiring and young entrepreneurs succeed in starting or building their businesses through mentorship and the facilitation of leadership development programmes.

 

Of his award, Dr. Jumah says, “This award has further exposed my unique concept of delivering quality and complete dental care through private dental practice and corporate dentistry. This is the first of its kind in Nigeria and something that Africa can be proud of. For other entrepreneurs, this awards is extra motivation to dream big and go for it; regardless of the peculiar, challenging conditions and situations they might be facing in their cities or countries. I believe the opportunity for Africa is now, despite the many challenges (security, government, policies, economic, or infrastructural).”

 

 

Dr. Jumah will be using his using his prize and project money to:

• Open a new location of The Smile Shop in Abuja;
• Expand upon his dental health awareness efforts through the radio dental program (to cover more cities) and explore the possibility of a nationally syndicated television show; and
• Complete the design and production of The Smile Shop’s 2nd innovative product-BRUSHMATE (A toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue cleaner holder).

In addition to the Tony Elumelu Prize for Business, he has previously been a recipient of the YouWin Grant award from the 1st edition of this program.