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Minematters UNIBEN

Minematters Foundation Inc. Nigerian Collegiate Chapter · University of Benin

“Train the mind, and you train the man.”

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The Minematters UNIBEN team in yellow shirts, with the project manager in blue, at MindFest 2025
Our team at MindFest 2025

Students looking out for students

Who we are

Minematters UNIBEN is the student community of the Minematters Health and Wellness Foundation at the University of Benin. We're students looking out for students: creating safe spaces to talk, learn, and grow, so that no one has to carry their struggles alone.

How it started

It began with one day at UNIBEN.

Our story began on 5 April 2025, at the first MindFest event at the University of Benin. It was themed “Maximizing Your Inner Narratives While Developing Fast-Paced and Expedient Strategies for Triumph,” and the first letter of each key word spells out MINDFEST.

That same day, the Minematters UNIBEN Collegiate Chapter was officially launched.

  1. Maximizing
  2. Inner
  3. Narratives
  4. Developing
  5. Fast-Paced
  6. Expedient
  7. Strategies
  8. Triumph
  • 800+people reached by our awareness campaign
  • 300+students in the room on the day, talking mental health, finance, career, business and thriving in the corporate world
  • 1new collegiate chapter, launched the same day

What we believe

Success is built on a healthy mind.

And a healthy mind is easier to keep when you're not under constant financial pressure.

Many students in Nigeria, UNIBEN included, carry the weight of money worries alongside their studies. That's why we pair mental health with practical life skills. When students learn how to earn through skills, business, and other legitimate means, they gain independence, rely less on their parents, and have more room to look after their wellbeing.

What we run

Our Key Programmes

Flagship event

MindFest

MindFest is our flagship event, bringing students together to talk about mental health, finance, career, and personal growth, and to leave with a clearer mind.

Winners of the MindFest Mental Health Challenge on stage with their cheques and laptop prize
Mental Health Challenge winners
Students seated in the hall at MindFest 1.0, University of Benin
MindFest 1.0

The MindFest Mental Health Challenge

At the first MindFest, we ran the first-ever MindFest Mental Health Challenge. Participants submitted writing entries and progressed through several stages of the competition, all the way to the final day of the event on 5 April. The winner went home with a brand-new laptop, and the runners-up received cash prizes of ₦100,000 and ₦50,000 to support their academic journey.

  • 1stA brand-new laptop
  • 2nd₦100,000
  • 3rd₦50,000

MindFest 2.0: The Talent Hunt Is On

This year, MindFest 2.0 comes with a Talent Hunt. Students from across campus have shown us what they can do, and the best talents will be celebrated and rewarded at the event. Want to see who takes the prize? Be in the room when the winners are announced.

Winners to be announced live at MindFest 2.0

MindFest 2.0

Clear the Mind; Create the Vision

7 November 2026University of Benin, Ugbowo

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Scholarships

R.I.S.E Academy

R.I.S.E Academy supports UNIBEN students on their academic journey. Its top performers are rewarded with free tuition at the University of Benin.

In its first edition, two top performers, Favour Ikpa and Olarewaju Marvelous Idowu, were awarded free tuition for the 2025/2026 academic session. The second edition will sponsor three students.

students to be sponsored in the second edition

R.I.S.E Academy scholars Favour Ikpa and Olarewaju Marvelous Idowu
Free tuition: Favour & Marvelous
R.I.S.E Academy participants together at the University of Benin
R.I.S.E Academy participants

Trainings and webinars

Practical tools for life on and off campus.

Alongside our key programmes, we run trainings and webinars that give students practical tools for life on and off campus. Our sessions cover:

  1. Emotional Resilience

    Helping students handle academic pressure, setbacks, and stress without breaking down.

  2. Mental Health Awareness

    Knowing the signs, looking out for one another, and knowing when and where to get help.

  3. Financial Literacy and Income Skills

    Practical ways to earn, save, and manage money while still in school.

  4. Career and Corporate Readiness

    Preparing students to stand out and thrive in the workplace.

  5. Personal Development

    Building confidence, leadership, and a clear vision for the future.

Join the Community

Whether you want to learn, volunteer, or simply be part of a community that cares, there's a place for you at Minematters UNIBEN.

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