Lagos, January 8, 2026 — Unity Bank Plc has disbursed more than ₦270 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 2019 to 608 corps members nationwide.
The programme, implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) scheme, is designed to support fresh graduates with funding and mentorship to establish and grow viable businesses.
In the latest edition of the challenge, conducted between November 18 and December 9, 2025, across 10 NYSC orientation camps, 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 states.
The successful participants pitched innovative business ideas spanning various sectors of the economy, including agribusiness, fashion, manufacturing, food processing, creative services and retail, with projects assessed on originality, feasibility, scalability and job-creation potential.
Speaking on the initiative, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, said the bank views entrepreneurship as a critical driver of inclusive economic growth and youth employment in Nigeria.
“Through the Corpreneurship Challenge, we are empowering young graduates with not just funding, but the confidence and support needed to turn viable ideas into sustainable businesses. Surpassing 600 beneficiaries since inception highlights the immense potential of Nigerian youth when given the right opportunities,” she said.
Abimbola added that early-stage support for corps members helps strengthen the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) ecosystem, creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
Since its launch in 2019, the Corpreneurship Challenge has become a prominent feature of the NYSC programme, attracting thousands of applicants annually and earning recognition for its role in youth empowerment and enterprise development.
Unity Bank said it remains committed to expanding the initiative as part of its broader strategy to support entrepreneurship, MSME growth and long-term economic development in Nigeria.
