Unity Bank Plc has disbursed more than N270 million in grants to young Nigerian entrepreneurs under its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, the Corpreneurship Challenge. The latest disbursement brings the total number of beneficiaries since the programme’s inception in 2019 to 608 corps members nationwide.
Implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the initiative is designed to equip fresh graduates with the funding, confidence and support needed to launch and grow viable businesses.
In the most recent edition of the Corpreneurship Challenge, held 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 selected from orientation camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Enugu, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akwa Ibom and Plateau states. They pitched innovative business ideas spanning diverse sectors of the economy.
Unity Bank said its cumulative investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge reflects its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, micro, small and medium-scale enterprise (MSME) development, and job creation in Nigeria.
Speaking on the programme’s impact, the Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed Unity Bank’s belief in entrepreneurship as a driver of economic transformation.
“At Unity Bank, we recognise that entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective tools for tackling youth unemployment and promoting inclusive economic growth. Through the Corpreneurship Challenge, we are not only providing financial support but also building confidence in young graduates to transform viable ideas into sustainable businesses. Reaching over 600 beneficiaries since inception underscores our confidence in the potential of Nigeria’s youth,” she said.
Mrs Abimbola added that the initiative plays a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem and creating 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 extends beyond grants to lasting livelihoods,” she noted.
The Corpreneurship Challenge offers a competitive platform where corps members pitch business ideas evaluated on originality, feasibility, market demand, scalability and job-creation potential. Successful participants receive financial grants to start or expand their ventures, alongside access to business guidance and mentorship.
Since its launch, the initiative has supported youth-led businesses across sectors such as fashion, agribusiness, food processing, creative services, manufacturing and retail. It has also become a key component of the NYSC experience, attracting thousands of applications annually and gaining national recognition for its contribution to youth empowerment.
Through the sustained expansion of the Corpreneurship Challenge, Unity Bank continues to strengthen its position as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s entrepreneurship and MSME development landscape.
