Unity Bank Plc has awarded N16 million in business grants to 30 young entrepreneurs through its Corpreneurship Challenge, a key part of its drive to promote entrepreneurship and job creation.
The winners, who are developing innovative solutions across industries such as fashion design, bag making, event management, pastry making, vegetable farming, and beauty, emerged after pitching their business ideas at competitions held in 10 NYSC Orientation Camps across the country.
These camps included locations in Lagos, Abuja, Cross River, Anambra, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, and Jigawa.
According to Nairametric, Adeniyi Stephen Gbemininyi won the top prize of N800,000 for his fashion design business pitch, as part of the Lagos event at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja.
Kolawole Opeoluwa Darasimi received N500,000 for his bag making venture, while Johnson Elizabeth Ene secured N300,000 for her cake and pastry business.
Across the other states, 27 additional winners were selected for their creative ideas in areas such as fish production, piggery, poultry, soap making, printing, beverage production, and more.
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The Corpreneurship Challenge, which has been running for six years, is designed to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to equip fresh graduates with entrepreneurial skills as white-collar jobs become harder to find.
Thousands of NYSC corps members apply to the programme each year, with their business ideas assessed for creativity, market potential, job creation prospects, and overall business sense.
Speaking at the Lagos finale, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head of Retail and SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, said, “At Unity Bank, we believe that empowering young people to shape Nigeria’s economic future must be supported to provide longer-term sustainability.
Through the Corpreneurship Challenge, we are not just providing funding, but nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs equipped with the skills, resources, and confidence to create jobs and transform communities.
The success stories we see year after year reaffirm our commitment to youth empowerment and SME development.”
She also praised the high level of interest and quality of business ideas, adding, “The overwhelming interest and high quality of business ideas we receive in every edition demonstrate the incredible potential among Nigeria’s youth. We are proud to partner with the NYSC SAED to make these dreams a reality.”
The Corpreneurship Challenge, run in collaboration with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, has attracted national recognition for its role in youth empowerment and job creation.
Since its launch in 2019, Unity Bank has invested over N100 million in the initiative, producing more than 160 winners so far.
The programme continues to give young entrepreneurs a platform to secure grants of up to N800,000 and bring their business ideas to life.
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Image Credit: The Conduit News
