Unity Bank Empowers 30 Young Entrepreneurs with ₦16 Million Grant Through Corpreneurship Challenge
In a continued push to foster youth entrepreneurship and tackle unemployment in Nigeria, Unity Bank Plc has awarded ₦16 million in business grants to 30 young entrepreneurs through its flagship initiative, the Corpreneurship Challenge.
The winners, who are members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), emerged after a highly competitive business pitch competition held across 10 NYSC Orientation Camps in states including Lagos, Abuja, Cross River, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Jigawa, and Anambra.
At the Lagos NYSC Camp in Ipaja, Adeniyi Stephen Gbemininyi, a fashion design entrepreneur, claimed the grand prize of ₦800,000. Kolawole Opeoluwa Darasimi, a bag-making entrepreneur, secured ₦500,000, while Johnson Elizabeth Ene received ₦300,000 for her pastry and cake business.
Across the remaining camps, 27 other corps members walked away with grants to fund their businesses in areas such as fish farming, poultry, soap production, fashion, event planning, printing, and beverage production.
Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Now in its sixth year, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become a cornerstone of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, attracting over 2,000 applicants per edition. The initiative supports Nigeria’s youth with seed capital, mentorship, and the tools to build sustainable businesses in the face of limited white-collar job opportunities.
Speaking at the Lagos finale, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, emphasized the bank’s commitment to youth empowerment:
“We are not just providing funding—we are nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs equipped to create jobs and transform their communities. The success stories year after year reaffirm our commitment to SME development in Nigeria.”
She also highlighted the consistent innovation and enthusiasm shown by NYSC members:
“The overwhelming quality of business ideas shows the immense potential within Nigeria’s youth. We are proud to be a part of their journey toward economic impact and self-reliance.”
National Recognition for Impact
Since its launch in 2019, Unity Bank has invested over ₦100 million into the Corpreneurship Challenge and has produced more than 160 grant winners nationwide. The programme has earned widespread recognition for its practical impact on youth empowerment, job creation, and innovation.
Each edition features a business pitch segment, where selected NYSC members defend their ideas before a panel of judges, with the top three entrepreneurs in each state winning grants of up to ₦800,000.
