The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) has officially opened applications for NiYA Startup Pitch 2.0, a national initiative designed to identify, support, and elevate the next generation of youth-led tech startups in Nigeria. The programme aims to select 100 promising startups and equip them with funding, mentorship, enterprise tools and nationwide visibility.
Powered by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and delivered by Sapphital Ltd, this edition represents one of Nigeria’s strongest commitments to empowering young innovators building tech-driven solutions for national development.
About NiYA Startup Pitch 2.0
NiYA Startup Pitch 2.0 is part of the broader Nigerian Youth Academy mission to groom future-ready entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy. The programme is designed to give young founders the structure, exposure and resources they need to grow their ideas from early-stage concepts into scalable businesses. With mentorship, pitch preparation, enterprise support and access to funding, the initiative bridges the gap between talent and opportunity for young innovators.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This pitch programme is happening at a time when many young founders struggle with early-stage funding, technical guidance, and visibility. NiYA Startup Pitch 2.0 provides a pathway for youth innovators to overcome these barriers. It helps them validate their ideas, refine their business models, access capital, and connect with networks that can accelerate growth. By supporting youth-led tech solutions, the programme strengthens Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, encourages job creation, and promotes homegrown digital innovation that can solve national challenges across sectors such as agriculture, health, education, fintech, and logistics.
Eligibility Requirements
• Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old
• Must currently live in Nigeria
• Startup must have at least two co-founders
• A completed NiYA community profile is required
• Applicants must present a course completion certificate
• A pitch deck must be submitted
What Selected Startups Will Gain
• Access to ₦100 million in funding
• Mentorship from experienced founders and industry experts
• Enterprise development support to strengthen business structure
• National visibility across media and government platforms
• Opportunities to pitch before investors and partners
• Access to the wider NiYA innovation and youth development community
