Elenii

True innovation happens when we ensure no founder is left behind.

​On the 11th of April 2026, we held a dedicated session for the visually impaired participants of the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship (JLMCFF) Nigeria Chapter. Based in Jos, we hosted a physical meetup that also welcomed participants and coaches virtually from across the country.
​The goal was simple: to provide a supportive, interactive environment to navigate the journey from foundational business concepts to advanced problem validation.
​Highlights from the session:
​Back to Basics: We revisited the early stages of the curriculum to ensure every founder—especially those who faced hurdles with the initial modules—had a rock-solid foundation.
​Design Thinking in Action: We moved from theory to practice with a “Design Thinking Challenge.” It was a high-energy, interactive session where participants pitched their ventures and applied empathy-led design to solve real-world problems.
​A Hybrid Community: With participants in the room and coaches joining us virtually, we bridged the gap between digital learning and hands-on mentorship.
​Seeing the “lightbulb moments” as founders shared their visions reminded us why this work matters. It’s not just about completing modules; it’s about building viable, impactful businesses.

True innovation happens when we ensure no founder is left behind.

​On the 11th of April 2026, we held a dedicated session for the visually impaired participants of the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship (JLMCFF) Nigeria Chapter. Based in Jos, we hosted a physical meetup that also welcomed participants and coaches virtually from across the country.
​The goal was simple: to provide a supportive, interactive environment to navigate the journey from foundational business concepts to advanced problem validation.
​Highlights from the session:
​Back to Basics: We revisited the early stages of the curriculum to ensure every founder—especially those who faced hurdles with the initial modules—had a rock-solid foundation.
​Design Thinking in Action: We moved from theory to practice with a "Design Thinking Challenge." It was a high-energy, interactive session where participants pitched their ventures and applied empathy-led design to solve real-world problems.
​A Hybrid Community: With participants in the room and coaches joining us virtually, we bridged the gap between digital learning and hands-on mentorship.
​Seeing the "lightbulb moments" as founders shared their visions reminded us why this work matters. It’s not just about completing modules; it’s about building viable, impactful businesses.

We are excited to announce a new strategic partnership between Elenii Shepherd and
the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen’s University (DDQIC), Canada.
Through this partnership, we will collaborate on two major initiatives focused on
advancing accessibility, inclusion, and entrepreneurship for visually impaired people in
Nigeria and beyond:
Enhancing accessibility and inclusion within the Jim Leech Mastercard
Foundation Fellowship for visually impaired fellows in Nigeria.
Launching a new program designed to support visually
impaired individuals with accessible entrepreneurship and education
opportunities, building skills, confidence, and pathways to income and
leadership.

This partnership will help us expand opportunities for visually impaired entrepreneurs
and learners, strengthen local capacity, and deepen our impact across Nigeria and
Africa.

We are grateful for the trust and support of DDQIC at Queen’s University and look
forward to the impact we will create together.

Nigeria Association of the Blind-National

✨ Imagine seeing the world through sound, words, and AI. Nigeria Association of the Blind-National Microsoft 365
That’s what Elenii Shepherd is doing — turning technology into a lifeline of vision for the visually impaired.

With features like object detection, text-to-speech, and multilingual assistance, it’s not just an app — it’s a movement for inclusion. 🌍💙

💡 Let’s build a future where no one is left behind.
👁️ Follow to support the vision for accessibility and empowerment.

👁️✨ What if technology could see for those who can’t? Nigeria Association of the Blind-National Microsoft 365

That’s what Elenii Shepherd is all about — a multilingual, AI-powered app helping visually impaired individuals identify objects, read text, and navigate the world independently. 🌍

From classrooms to workplaces, Elenii Shepherd is turning accessibility into real-life empowerment. 💙

We believe technology should not just innovate — it should include.
Join us in building a future where vision is more than what eyes can see.

🚀 Follow to support innovation that empowers!

👁️✨ What if an app could give sight through sound? Nigeria Association of the Blind-National Microsoft 365
Meet Elenii Shepherd — a multilingual AI-powered app helping visually impaired individuals live, learn, and move freely through life.

From text-to-speech to object detection, this isn’t just technology — it’s a mission to make accessibility a way of life and turn inclusion into opportunity. 💙

We believe disability shouldn’t mean limitation, and with your support, we’re making that belief a reality.

🚀 Follow and be part of the movement that’s changing how the world sees vision.

On Monday, November 3rd, we held a first-of-its-kind hybrid information session in Jos, Plateau State, bringing together over 130 visually impaired individuals in person — with several more joining online — to learn about the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship, powered by Queen’s University (DDQIC). 👩🏽‍💻👨🏽‍🦯

During this inspiring workshop, attendees discovered how the fellowship empowers aspiring entrepreneurs — including those with accessibility challenges — to develop business ideas, build entrepreneurial skills, and access mentorship and funding opportunities. 💡💼

It was truly heartwarming to see participants travel from neighboring towns and states to be part of this experience. 🚗✨

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing partners at DDQIC Queen’s University, Future Perspectives, and the National Association of the Blind (NAB) for their incredible support — and to everyone who joined us, both onsite and online. 🙌🏾💖

This is only the beginning. 🌍
Together, we’re working to ensure that disability never limits creativity, leadership, or opportunity. 💪🏾♿💫

🌟 A Huge Milestone for Elenii Shepherd! 🌟

On June 25th, 2025, in partnership with Junior Chambers International (JCIN) Unijos chapter, we hosted our very first outreach event for the visually impaired community at the University of Jos — and it was a MASSIVE success!

Over 60 visually impaired members from the university came together for interactive sessions and hands-on user testing of our app and innovative strap. The response? Almost everyone requested the strap and expressed excitement to become part of our growing community! 💙

Instead of a formal MOU, JCIN warmly welcomed us into their vibrant online community of visually impaired members and alumni from across Nigeria. This opens up incredible opportunities for connection, support, and impact.

We’re beyond grateful for this amazing start and can’t wait to keep empowering more lives with technology designed to make a difference. Together, we’re building a more inclusive future! 🙌