Unity Bank Plc has awarded a total of N16 million in business grants to 30 young Nigerian entrepreneurs under its Corpreneurship Challenge, a flagship initiative designed to support youth-led enterprises across the country.
The winners emerged after a rigorous business pitch competition held across 10 NYSC orientation camps in Lagos, Abuja, Anambra, Taraba, Plateau, Cross River, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa, and Kaduna States. The programme, which supports innovative business ideas, targeted NYSC members venturing into sectors such as fashion, pastry making, event management, farming, soap and beverage production, piggery, and printing.
In Lagos State, the overall winner, Adeniyi Stephen Gbemininyi, received N800,000 for his fashion design business. Kolawole Opeoluwa Darasimi was awarded N500,000 for her bag-making business, while Johnson Elizabeth Ene received N300,000 to grow her pastry venture. In the other states, 27 more entrepreneurs received varying grant amounts after pitching business ideas in their respective camps.
Unity Bank’s Divisional Head for Retail and SME, Adenike Abimbola, said the Corpreneurship Challenge is more than a funding initiative. According to her, it is a platform to equip youth with business skills and confidence to build sustainable enterprises and contribute to national development.
“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,” she said.
She added that the consistent quality and volume of applications received demonstrate the creativity and drive of Nigerian youth. The programme is run in collaboration with the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative and offers up to N800,000 to each winner.
Since its launch in 2019, the Corpreneurship Challenge has produced over 160 grant recipients and attracted more than 2,000 applicants per edition. With more than N100 million already invested in the programme, Unity Bank continues to receive national recognition for its role in youth empowerment and job creation.
