Growing a business in Nigeria comes with many challenges — from branding and operations to funding. The Naffiexquisite Empowerment Initiative (NEEI) Mentorship Cohort 2025 offers a chance not only to receive mentorship and business support but also to compete for a grant of ₦3,000,000 to help scale your venture.
This program is particularly powerful for entrepreneurs who have built some momentum but need expert coaching, structure, and financial boost to reach their next milestone.
What You’ll Receive (Benefits)
A 3-week “Mini MBA” style mentorship experience led by business experts
Access to business tools, strategic frameworks, and resource support
A grant prize of ₦3,000,000 allocated to selected mentees for growth deployment
Connection to NEEI’s network of support, partners (like ITHAC & Cynosure), and peer entrepreneurs
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
To qualify, you should meet most or all of these:
Be 18 years or older, with a valid identification
Operate a business that has been active for at least 2 years
Be registered with CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) or in the process of registration
Demonstrate commitment and clarity about how the grant will be used
Duration & Timeline
Mentorship Phase: 3 weeks
Grant distribution and follow-on support for selected participants
Application Deadline: October 20, 2025 (as publicly reported)
Smart Tips for Applicants
Define your grant use clearly: Don’t say “grow my business” — specify areas (marketing, hiring staff, equipment, software).
Show proof of operations for 2+ years: Use invoices, sales records, or contracts to validate your claims.
Align mentorship goals with business gaps: If branding is weak, state “I want mentorship in brand building, customer retention, packaging.”
Be realistic in requests: If ₦3 million is large relative to your business size, explain how each naira will be spent.
Prepare for follow-on accountability: The program likely expects you to report impact or results post-grant.
Get feedback on your draft answers: Ask a mentor or peer to flag unclear parts or overstated claims.
How to Apply (Steps)
Go to the application page shared (Complete the form: include personal info, business background, challenges, growth plan, and intended use of grant.
Submit before October 20, 2025
Wait for screening, mentoring phase, and eventual grant selection
