Winners emerged at the grand finale of the third edition of the Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers’ FUZE Talent Show, themed ‘Light it Up,’ which was held in Lagos recently.

The event is organised by Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings.

The grand finale featured performances across various artistic fields, including music, dance, fashion, and technology, and the sum of N50m was distributed among the winners.

Esther Okonta emerged as the overall winner in the Fashion category; Grace James in the Tech category; Caleb Edet Tremor in the Music category; and Benedict Emmanuel in the Dance category, receiving top prizes of N7.5m each for their respective categories.

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Olumide Oyetan, expressed his delight at the event’s success.

“FUZE 3.0 has exceeded our expectations in every way. The talent displayed by our contestants is extraordinary, reinforcing our belief in the immense potential of Nigerian youths. This platform has again proven its worth in nurturing and showcasing our nation’s creative prowess,” he said.

The talent show competition began with over 6,000 submissions and witnessed unprecedented participation levels, with four emerging finalists across Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Benin City. The rigorous selection process, conducted through the Stanbic IBTC Events App and website, ensured that 28 exceptional talents made it to the boot camp, and only the most exceptional talents made it to the finale.

This year’s FUZE Festival, which marked the culmination of the talent hunt, was a celebration of creativity and innovation. Industry leaders, celebrities, and dignitaries graced the event, further elevating its status as a premier platform for emerging talents.