Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge Beneficiaries Hit 578
More than 578 young entrepreneurs from across Nigeria have so far benefited from Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge, the Bank’s flagship programme designed to nurture and empower youth-led businesses.
Since its inception a few years ago, the initiative has continued to channel investments into promising ventures across different sectors—helping young Nigerians start enterprises, generate employment, and strengthen the country’s economic landscape.
In the latest round of the competition, 30 new winners shared a combined grant of ₦16 million during the Batch B, Stream II edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course, held simultaneously in ten states.
These winners, drawn from Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, and Plateau, impressed the judges with creative business ideas in areas such as fashion design, bag production, pastry and beverage making, event management, and vegetable cultivation.
At the Lagos NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo took the top prize of ₦800,000 for her soap-making venture. Ndukwe Chiamaka Joan earned ₦500,000 as first runner-up with her innovative small chops business, while Barakat Modinat Olamide received ₦300,000 to scale her beverage production enterprise.
Overjoyed by her victory, Ojo described the competition as a transformative experience. She said, “I’m deeply thankful to Unity Bank for this platform. Winning has not only funded my soap business but also given me the knowledge and confidence to grow it sustainably. It’s inspiring to see a bank so committed to the dreams of young Nigerians.”
In the other participating states, 27 additional winners emerged, pitching ventures in fields like poultry and fish farming, printing, piggery, and cake production.
For more than six years, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has been a major highlight of the NYSC programme, complementing the Federal Government’s push to equip graduates with entrepreneurial skills amid shrinking white-collar job opportunities. Each cycle attracts thousands of entries that are assessed based on originality, scalability, job creation potential, and business viability.
Speaking at the grand finale in Lagos, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head for Retail and SME Banking, reiterated the Bank’s dedication to empowering young Nigerians through enterprise. “We believe the creativity and drive of our youth are central to Nigeria’s economic progress. The Corpreneurship Challenge allows us to invest directly in that potential—offering grants, mentorship, and encouragement to turn bright ideas into real businesses. Knowing that over 578 entrepreneurs have already benefited drives us to keep growing this impact,” she said.
The Corpreneurship Challenge has earned Unity Bank national recognition for its contribution to youth empowerment and job creation, attracting more than 2,000 applicants in each edition.
In partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the initiative continues to serve as a springboard for young business owners—offering grants of up to ₦800,000 and practical support to help corps members transform their business ideas into thriving enterprises.
