Seventeen young entrepreneurs across Nigeria have turned their innovative dreams into funded realities, thanks to the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) — a government-backed platform redefining how the nation invests in youth potential.
Rather than focusing on speeches and ceremonies, this year’s NiYA Startup Pitch spotlighted a new kind of celebration — one where creative young Nigerians walked away with ₦1 million each to grow their ventures.
Dr. Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, explained that NiYA isn’t just another government scheme — it’s a structured ecosystem built to help young Nigerians learn, earn, and lead. “NiYA connects learning with opportunity,” he said. “It’s about helping young people transform what they know into what they can build.”
Under the NiYA umbrella — which includes NiYA Gigs, NiYA Jobs, and NiYA Academy — participants are equipped with practical training, market exposure, and startup capital. The programme reflects a vision where Nigeria’s youth are seen not as dependents but as creators of economic change.
Olawande emphasized that the success stories emerging from NiYA prove that when creativity meets opportunity, transformation follows. “If we nurture young innovators through public and private collaboration, they will not only find jobs — they will create them,” he noted, adding that the initiative aims to make entrepreneurship an attainable dream for every determined youth.
At the event, Sapphital’s CEO and Co-founder, Amu Ogbeide, highlighted NiYA’s transparency and inclusivity. He revealed that the programme deliberately sought out unknown but promising young Nigerians. “We didn’t pick the most famous faces — we picked those with ideas that can grow,” he said. “Now, we’re giving them mentorship, digital tools, and funding to make those ideas real.”
Backing the effort, SMEDAN’s Director-General, Charles Odii, disclosed that about $25,000 (₦15–₦20 million) was allocated for the competition. Each winning startup received ₦1 million, with ventures spanning technology, logistics, lifestyle, and digital services — industries brimming with potential for employment and innovation.
Odii stressed that such funding, though modest, can trigger ripple effects across local economies. “Capital is rare, but when injected into micro and tech-driven enterprises, it fuels innovation and jobs,” he said.
For Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the real victory lies in the long-term vision. He described NiYA as a strategic investment in national development, one that lays the groundwork for tomorrow’s business leaders. “Empowering the youth means building the nation,” Agama remarked. “You’re planting the seeds for businesses that could one day list on our stock exchange.”
From policy rooms to grassroots initiatives, NiYA is quietly building a generation of founders — not followers — and reminding the nation that innovation isn’t a privilege; it’s a pathway for those bold enough to chase it.
