The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has begun notifying applicants under its Rural Employment Promotion initiative who registered during Phase One of the programme about their nomination for the Development Bank of Nigeria’s (DBN) Annual Entrepreneurship Training Programme (ETP 2025).
In emails sent to selected candidates, the Directorate confirmed their nomination and provided details for participation in the training. The message instructed participants to log into the DBN learning platform with unique credentials and enrol in mandatory courses designed to strengthen their entrepreneurial and business management skills.
The courses include Credit Management and Access to Finance, Marketing and Sales Technique, Accounting and Bookkeeping, and Sustainability for Small Businesses. Candidates are required to complete these modules, take final quizzes, and achieve a score of at least 85 percent in order to qualify for the next stage of the programme.
Those who meet the requirements will be invited to attend a three-day in-person workshop within their respective regions. At the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses and compete for grant funding valued between ₦500,000 and ₦1 million.
The DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme is an annual initiative designed to build the capacity of Nigerian entrepreneurs, particularly small business owners, by equipping them with critical knowledge and access to finance. By linking training with funding opportunities, the programme aims to foster business growth, sustainability, and job creation across the country.
Officials said the collaboration with the NDE underscores the importance of expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs at the grassroots level, particularly in a period where access to finance and structured business support remain key challenges for many small enterprises.
Observers believe this year’s edition could provide a lifeline for thousands of budding entrepreneurs, while also boosting Nigeria’s drive for inclusive economic growth through the development of a stronger MSME sector.
