The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has announced that 17 youth-led startups have successfully participated and benefitted from the NiYA StartUp Pitch 1.0, a groundbreaking platform aimed at empowering young Nigerian innovators and entrepreneurs.
The participating startups included Trybb Enterprise, Mobile HealthCare Initiative, Project Launch Pad, Agrogrid, Kedu, Acheva Technologies Limited, Heabron, AA Kwakwatawa General Enterprise, Asoro Automotive, BoiBoi Technologies, Smart OPs AI, Smartify, Charge 24/7 Plugzone, ExportPlug, Univille Nigeria Limited, Washup Weekly, and Switched.
According to the Ministry, this milestone marks another significant step in the collective effort to transform youth creativity into national prosperity. The startups showcased innovative ideas, solutions, and resilience, highlighting the strength and potential of young Nigerians in driving economic growth. “When Nigerian youth rise, our nation rises with them,” the Ministry stated.
The NiYA initiative, under the Nigerian Youth Academy, is designed to build an inclusive ecosystem that supports young people from learning to earning. With components such as NiYA Gigs, NiYA Jobs, NiYA Academy, and now NiYA StartUp, the program provides pathways for skill development, entrepreneurship, and access to opportunities.
Earlier in March, during the official launch of NiYA, six young Nigerians from different geopolitical zones received support through a partnership with Providus Bank. The recent NiYA StartUp Pitch 1.0 extends this progress, with 17 startups now supported and new commitments from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other partners to further invest in young innovators through the NiYA platform.
Speaking on the development, the Honourable Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to youth empowerment. “While these may appear as small numbers, we remain committed to expanding opportunities for young people, one youth at a time,” he said.
He added that the NiYA StartUp Pitch 1.0 is not just a competition but a movement that unites government, private sector players, and development partners to unlock the full potential of Nigerian youth as innovators and global competitors. “To every young innovator and thinker out there, keep building and keep believing — because the future truly belongs to you,” the Minister urged.