Unity Bank Plc has disbursed more than ₦270 million in grants to young Nigerian entrepreneurs under its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, known as the Corpreneurship Challenge, increasing the total number of beneficiaries to 608 corps members nationwide since the programme began in 2019.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, is designed to equip fresh graduates with funding and support to establish and grow sustainable businesses.
In the latest edition of the challenge, held between November 18 and December 9, 2025, 30 corps members emerged as winners during the Batch C, Stream I, 2025 NYSC orientation exercise. The competition took place across 10 NYSC orientation camps nationwide.
The beneficiaries were selected from camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Enugu, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akwa Ibom and Plateau states, after pitching business ideas spanning various sectors of the economy.
Unity Bank said its cumulative investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge reflects its commitment to youth empowerment, micro, small and medium-scale enterprise (MSME) development and job creation in Nigeria.
Speaking on the programme, the bank’s Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Adenike Abimbola, said entrepreneurship remains a critical tool for addressing youth unemployment and promoting inclusive economic growth.
She noted that the initiative goes beyond financial support by building the confidence of young graduates to translate viable ideas into sustainable enterprises, adding that supporting over 600 beneficiaries since inception highlights the potential of Nigeria’s youth.
Abimbola also emphasised the role of MSMEs in economic resilience, stating that early-stage support for corps members helps create businesses capable of generating jobs, stimulating local economies and contributing to national development.
The Corpreneurship Challenge provides a competitive platform where corps members present business ideas assessed on originality, feasibility, market demand, scalability and job-creation potential.
Successful participants receive grants to start or expand their ventures, as well as access to business guidance and mentorship.
Since its launch, the programme has supported youth-led businesses across sectors such as fashion, agribusiness, food processing, creative services, manufacturing and retail, and has become a key feature of the NYSC experience, attracting thousands of applicants annually.
Unity Bank said it remains committed to sustaining and expanding the initiative as part of its broader strategy to support entrepreneurship and MSME growth in Nigeria.
Comment here