Unity Bank Plc has disbursed ₦16 million in business grants to 30 young Nigerian entrepreneurs through its flagship entrepreneurship initiative, the Corpreneurship Challenge, reaffirming its commitment to youth empowerment and job creation.
The winners emerged after a rigorous business pitch competition held across 10 NYSC Orientation Camps for Batch A Stream 2 corps members in Cross River, Niger, Abuja, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Jigawa, Anambra, and Lagos States.
At the Lagos NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, fashion designer Adeniyi Stephen Gbemininyi clinched the overall top prize of ₦800,000. Kolawole Opeoluwa Darasimi, a bag maker, secured ₦500,000, while Johnson Elizabeth Ene received ₦300,000 to support her pastry business.
The 27 other winners across the remaining camps pitched innovative business plans spanning agriculture, fashion, event planning, food production, printing, and other sectors.
Now in its sixth year, the Corpreneurship Challenge has become a key feature of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. The initiative aligns with national efforts to promote self-employment among youth in response to Nigeria’s rising unemployment rate and declining availability of white-collar jobs.
Speaking at the Lagos grand finale, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, underscored the bank’s long-term vision for youth-driven economic growth.
“At Unity Bank, we are not just providing funding, but nurturing a generation of job creators who will transform their communities,” she said. “The Corpreneurship Challenge demonstrates our commitment to equipping Nigerian youth with the resources, confidence, and platforms they need to succeed.”
Mrs. Abimbola also highlighted the consistently high quality of business ideas submitted by participants across the country, describing the initiative as a catalyst for grassroots innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship.
The Corpreneurship Challenge has garnered national recognition, attracting over 2,000 applicants per edition. Since its inception in 2019, Unity Bank has invested over ₦100 million in the programme, producing more than 160 winners.
Through its partnership with NYSC, Unity Bank continues to promote economic inclusion and reduce unemployment by enabling youth to turn business ideas into viable enterprises with grants of up to ₦800,000.