Unity Bank Expands Youth Empowerment Drive as Corpreneurship Challenge Beneficiaries Hit 578

Unity Bank Expands Youth Empowerment Drive as Corpreneurship Challenge Beneficiaries Hit 578

Unity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development, as the number of beneficiaries of its flagship Corpreneurship Challenge has now reached 578 young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

The initiative, launched a few years ago as part of the Bank’s effort to drive enterprise among National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, continues to produce success stories across multiple sectors including fashion, agriculture, food production, and creative services.

In the latest round of the competition — the Batch B, Stream II edition — 30 new winners emerged from orientation camps across ten states, sharing a total grant of ₦16 million. The participating states include Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, and Plateau.

At the Lagos NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo clinched the overall prize of ₦800,000 for her soap-making enterprise. Ndukwe Chiamaka Joan, who presented a small chops business concept, won ₦500,000 as the first runner-up, while Barakat Modinat Olamide secured ₦300,000 for her beverage production business.

Expressing her excitement, Ojo described the experience as transformative.

“Winning the Corpreneurship Challenge has given me the confidence to scale my business. I’m grateful to Unity Bank for this opportunity and for believing in young entrepreneurs,” she said.

Across the other participating states, 27 additional winners also received grants for ventures ranging from fish farming and printing to piggery, pastries, and vegetable cultivation.

Speaking at the grand finale in Lagos, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, said the initiative reflects the Bank’s dedication to empowering Nigerian youth and supporting the small and medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem.

“At Unity Bank, we believe the creativity and energy of young Nigerians are key to economic transformation. The Corpreneurship Challenge enables corps members to turn their ideas into sustainable ventures through funding, mentorship, and business development support,” she stated.

Now in its sixth year, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become a core part of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, aligning with the Federal Government’s agenda to equip young graduates with practical business skills and reduce unemployment.

Each edition of the Challenge attracts thousands of applications nationwide, with business ideas evaluated on innovation, market potential, job creation prospects, and sustainability.

Through this initiative, Unity Bank continues to solidify its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions driving entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic empowerment among the country’s youth.