Unity Bank has continued its push for youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria through its Corpreneurship Challenge, with over 578 young entrepreneurs benefiting since the programme began. The initiative, designed to support National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members with promising business ideas, has provided grants, mentorship, and exposure to help young Nigerians establish sustainable ventures in different sectors of the economy.
In the latest Batch B, Stream II edition held during NYSC orientation camps across 10 states, 30 new winners received a combined grant of N16 million. These winners presented business ideas in areas such as fashion design, bag making, pastry production, beverage manufacturing, event management, vegetable farming, fish farming, and poultry.
At the Lagos NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo emerged as the overall winner with her soap-making business pitch, securing the N800,000 grand prize. Expressing her joy, she said, “I’m truly grateful to Unity Bank for this opportunity. Winning the Corpreneurship Challenge has given me the push and confidence I needed to scale my soap-making business. Beyond the grant, the experience taught me how to structure my business better and believe in its potential. It’s amazing to see a bank that genuinely invests in young people’s dreams.”
In the same camp, Ndukwe Chiamaka Joan, who presented a Small Chops business proposal, won N500,000 as first runner-up. Barakat Modinat Olamide received N300,000 to support her beverage venture. Similar competitions were held in Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, and Plateau States, where 27 more corps members emerged as winners with innovative business plans ranging from piggery and cake production to printing and agriculture-based services.
Unity Bank’s Corpreneurship Challenge has become a key feature of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme over the past six years. Each edition attracts thousands of applications from corps members who are evaluated based on originality, market relevance, job creation potential, and business management capability. The initiative aligns with national efforts to reduce unemployment by encouraging self-reliance and enterprise development among graduates.
Speaking at the Lagos grand finale, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head of Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, highlighted the importance of empowering young people through entrepreneurship. She stated, “At Unity Bank, we believe that the energy and creativity of young Nigerians are vital to the nation’s economic transformation. The Corpreneurship Challenge is our way of nurturing this potential — by giving corps members the financial boost, mentorship, and confidence to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Seeing over 578 young entrepreneurs already impacted motivates us to keep expanding the initiative and deepening our support for the SME ecosystem.”
The Corpreneurship Challenge has earned national recognition for Unity Bank, especially for its contributions to youth empowerment, financial inclusion, and job creation. With over 2,000 applicants per edition, the programme has become a trusted platform for identifying and nurturing young innovators. Grants of up to N800,000 are awarded to winners to help them launch or scale their businesses, reducing the pressure of seeking white-collar jobs in a competitive market.
By partnering with NYSC and its SAED programme, Unity Bank continues to encourage entrepreneurship as a viable career path. Young Nigerians participating in the challenge not only receive funding but also gain business training and mentorship, enabling them to build long-term ventures. The initiative supports key economic sectors, promotes small business growth, and inspires other financial institutions to invest in youth-led enterprises.