Lagos, Nigeria – In a move aimed at fostering innovation and reducing youth unemployment, Stanbic IBTC Bank has partnered with Orange Corners Nigeria to expand support for young entrepreneurs across the country.
Orange Corners Nigeria, a youth-focused business incubation initiative backed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and locally implemented by FATE Foundation, announced the strategic collaboration at a recent ceremony in Lagos.
The partnership will focus on enhancing access to funding, mentorship, and training for youth-led startups—critical areas often lacking in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Our mission is to catalyze and empower more young entrepreneurs,” said Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank. “This aligns perfectly with our ongoing support for SME businesses, and through this partnership, we intend to help scale these ventures and drive broader economic impact.”
Empowering Innovation Through Collaboration
Since its inception in 2019, Orange Corners Nigeria has served as a business incubator and innovation hub, equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, guidance, and connections necessary to build viable ventures.
With Stanbic IBTC now on board, the programme is set to scale significantly. According to Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director of FATE Foundation, the added backing will allow for “expanded outreach, deeper impact, and more opportunities for innovation and job creation.”
“This partnership strengthens our mission to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem where young Nigerians can transform their ideas into successful businesses,” Adeyemi said.
A Vote of Confidence in Nigeria’s Youth
Speaking at the event, Michel Deelen, Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, highlighted the symbolic importance of the initiative.
“Orange Corners represents our confidence in the potential of Nigeria’s youth. From the start, we envisioned this as a public-private effort, and we’re proud to welcome Stanbic IBTC as a key partner,” Deelen stated.
Also present was Jurriaan Middelholf, the Netherlands’ Ambassador for Youth, Education and Employment, alongside representatives from Stanbic IBTC, FATE Foundation, and the Dutch Consulate.
With Nigeria’s youth population growing rapidly and unemployment levels remaining high, initiatives like this partnership between Stanbic IBTC and Orange Corners Nigeria could play a crucial role in turning youth potential into entrepreneurial success stories, while contributing to the country’s broader economic development.
