Unity Bank Disburses N270m Grants to 608 Youth Entrepreneurs Nationwide
By Patience Ikpeme
Unity Bank Plc has disbursed more than N270 million in grants to young Nigerian entrepreneurs under its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, known as the Corpreneurship Challenge, raising the total number of beneficiaries since the programme’s launch in 2019 to 608 corps members across the country.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, is designed to equip fresh graduates with the funding, confidence and support needed to start and grow viable businesses at the earliest stage of their careers.
In the most recent edition of the Corpreneurship Challenge, conducted between November 18 and December 9, 2025, across 10 NYSC orientation camps nationwide, 30 corps members emerged as winners during the Batch C, Stream I, 2025 exercise. The beneficiaries were drawn from camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Enugu, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory, Akwa Ibom and Plateau State, after pitching business ideas spanning various sectors of the economy.
Unity Bank said the cumulative investment in the programme reflects its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, micro, small and medium-scale enterprise development and job creation in Nigeria, at a time when unemployment and access to startup capital remain major challenges for young graduates.
Speaking on the impact of the initiative, the bank’s Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, said entrepreneurship remains a powerful tool for addressing youth unemployment and driving inclusive economic growth.
“At Unity Bank, we recognise that entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective tools for tackling youth unemployment and driving inclusive economic growth. Through the Corpreneurship Challenge, we are not only providing financial support, but also instilling confidence in young graduates to transform viable ideas into sustainable businesses. Reaching over 600 beneficiaries since inception reinforces our belief in the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth,” she said.
Abimbola noted that the programme goes beyond grant disbursement, with a broader focus on strengthening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem and creating long-term economic value. According to her, supporting young entrepreneurs at the point of graduation helps lay a strong foundation for businesses that can grow, employ others and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
“Small and medium-scale enterprises are the backbone of any resilient economy. By supporting corps members at the earliest stage of their entrepreneurial journey, we are helping to build businesses that can create jobs, stimulate local economies and contribute meaningfully to national development. Our focus is on impact that goes beyond grants, impact that translates into lasting livelihoods,” she said.
The Corpreneurship Challenge provides a competitive platform where corps members present business ideas, which are assessed on originality, feasibility, market demand, scalability and job-creation potential. Successful participants receive financial grants to either kick-start or expand their ventures, alongside access to business guidance and mentorship.
Since its introduction, the initiative has supported youth-led businesses across a wide range of value chains, including fashion, agribusiness, food processing, creative services, manufacturing and retail. Over the years, it has become an integral part of the NYSC experience, attracting thousands of applications annually and gaining national recognition for its contribution to youth empowerment and enterprise development.
By sustaining and expanding the Corpreneurship Challenge, Unity Bank continues to position itself as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s entrepreneurship and MSME development landscape, with a focus on turning innovative ideas from young graduates into sustainable businesses that can drive growth and employment across the country.
