Unity Bank disburses N270m grants to 30 young entrepreneurs nationwide

Unity Bank Plc has disbursed over ₦270 million in grants to young Nigerian entrepreneurs under its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, known as the Corpreneurship Challenge, bringing the total number of beneficiaries since the programme’s inception in 2019 to 608 corps members across the country.

The initiative is implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, and is aimed at equipping fresh graduates with funding and support to start and grow sustainable businesses.

The latest round of the Corpreneurship Challenge, conducted between November 18 and December 9, 2025, across 10 NYSC orientation camps nationwide, produced 30 winners during the Batch C, Stream I, 2025 orientation exercise. The beneficiaries emerged from camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Enugu, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory, Akwa Ibom and Plateau states.

According to the bank, the corps members were selected after pitching innovative business ideas across various sectors of the economy, with projects assessed based on originality, feasibility, market demand, scalability and job-creation potential.

Unity Bank said its cumulative investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge reflects its commitment to youth empowerment, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development and job creation in Nigeria.

Speaking on the impact of the initiative, the bank’s Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, described entrepreneurship as a critical tool for addressing youth unemployment and driving inclusive economic growth.

She said the programme goes beyond financial support by building confidence in young graduates to transform viable ideas into sustainable ventures, adding that supporting over 600 beneficiaries since inception highlights the vast potential of Nigerian youth.

Mrs. Abimbola also noted that the initiative plays a key role in strengthening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem by supporting corps members at the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey, enabling them to create jobs, stimulate local economies and contribute to national development.

The Corpreneurship Challenge provides a competitive platform for corps members to pitch business ideas, with successful participants receiving grants to kick-start or expand their ventures, as well as access to mentorship and business guidance.

Since its launch, the programme has supported youth-led enterprises across sectors such as agribusiness, fashion, food processing, creative services, manufacturing and retail, and has gained national recognition for its contribution to youth entrepreneurship and economic development.