Unity Bank Plc has released more than ₦270 million in grant funding to young Nigerian entrepreneurs under its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, known as the Corpreneurship Challenge. With the latest disbursement, the total number of beneficiaries supported by the programme since its launch in 2019 has risen to 608 corps members across the country.
The initiative, delivered in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, is designed to provide fresh graduates with the capital, confidence, and institutional backing needed to start and grow sustainable businesses.
In the most recent edition of the Corpreneurship Challenge, which took place between November 18 and December 9, 2025, a total of 30 youth corps members emerged as winners during the Batch C Stream I 2025 orientation exercise. The competition was held across 10 NYSC orientation camps nationwide.
The successful participants were drawn from camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Enugu, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau State. They earned selection after pitching innovative business ideas spanning multiple sectors of the economy.
Unity Bank said its growing investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge reflects a long-term commitment to youth empowerment, micro and small business development, and job creation across Nigeria.
Speaking on the impact of the programme, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head of Retail and SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reiterated the Bank’s conviction that entrepreneurship remains a key driver of economic progress.
“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.
Mrs. Abimbola also highlighted the initiative’s contribution to strengthening the country’s MSME ecosystem and delivering long-term economic value.
“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 added.
The Corpreneurship Challenge operates as a competitive platform where corps members present business ideas that are evaluated based on originality, feasibility, market demand, scalability, and job creation potential. Winners receive grant funding to launch or expand their ventures, along with access to mentorship and business support.
Since its inception, the programme has supported youth-led enterprises across sectors such as fashion, agribusiness, food processing, creative services, manufacturing, and retail. Over time, it has become a recognised component of the NYSC experience, attracting thousands of applicants each year and earning national attention for its role in advancing youth entrepreneurship.
By sustaining and expanding the Corpreneurship Challenge, Unity Bank continues to position itself as a key partner in Nigeria’s entrepreneurship and MSME development ecosystem.
