Unity Bank Plc has awarded N16 million in business grants to 30 young entrepreneurs across Nigeria through its Corpreneurship Challenge, a flagship entrepreneurship development initiative in partnership with the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
The winners were selected after pitching innovative business ideas at NYSC Orientation Camps in 10 states, including Lagos, Cross River, Niger, Abuja, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Jigawa, and Anambra. The grants ranged from N800,000 for first place to N300,000 for third place. At the Lagos Ipaja camp, Adeniyi Stephen Gbemininyi won the grand prize with a fashion design business pitch. Other top winners included Kolawole Opeoluwa Darasimi, who received N500,000 for bag making, and Johnson Elizabeth Ene, awarded N300,000 for her cake and pastry business.
The Corpreneurship Challenge has been running since 2019 and has become an important part of the NYSC programme, helping fresh graduates develop marketable skills and start businesses amid limited white-collar job opportunities. Over the years, Unity Bank has invested more than N100 million in the initiative, supporting over 160 winners nationwide.
Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head of Retail and SME, said the bank aims not only to provide funding but also to nurture young entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to create jobs and transform communities. She stated that the high quality of business ideas and the strong interest from Nigeria’s youth as proof of the programme’s impact.
With thousands of applicants each year, the Corpreneurship Challenge continues to be a vital platform for turning fresh graduates’ business dreams into reality.
Unity Bank plans to maintain and possibly expand this support to further boost youth-led businesses and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
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