Empowering “Corpreneurs”: Unity Bank’s ₦270 Million Commitment to Youth

The Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has officially crossed a major milestone, having disbursed over ₦270 million in grants since its launch in 2019. In its latest edition (Batch C, Stream I, December 2025), the initiative awarded grants to 30 new winners, bringing the total number of “Corpreneur” beneficiaries to 608.

Implemented in partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the challenge serves as a business incubation platform that turns “serving” graduates into job creators.

The Corpreneurship Challenge: 2026 Snapshot

The initiative operates on a competitive “pitch” model held at NYSC orientation camps across 10 states. Participants are judged on originality, feasibility, market demand, and scalability.

The Winning Tier (As of 2024/2025 Prize Upgrades):

• 1st Prize: ₦800,000 Business Grant

• 2nd Prize: ₦500,000 Business Grant

• 3rd Prize: ₦300,000 Business Grant

Key Sectors Empowered

The challenge focuses on high-impact sectors that drive local economic resilience. Recent winners have successfully scaled businesses in:

• Agribusiness: Poultry, fish farming, and vegetable cultivation.

• Creative Services: Fashion design, bead making, and photography.

• Processing: Soap making, zobo beverage processing, and bakery services.

• Technology: Live streaming gadgets and digital consulting.

Why It Matters: The “Beyond the Grant” Strategy

According to Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head of Retail and SME, the goal is to bridge the “visibility gap” that causes 20% of SMEs to fail in their first year.

The bank provides:

1. Direct Capital: Non-repayable grants to solve the initial startup funding hurdle.

2. Mentorship: Connecting winners with seasoned professionals to build structured business models.

3. Confidence: Instilling the entrepreneurial acumen needed to navigate the post-service year.

Impact Summary: 2019–2026