Unity Bank has disbursed over ₦270m to NYSC Corps Members through Corpreneurship Challenge.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Unity Bank Plc has disbursed over ₦270 million in grants to young Nigerian entrepreneurs under its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (YEDI): Corpreneurship Challenge, raising the total number of beneficiaries nationwide to 608 corps members since the programme was launched in 2019.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) scheme, is designed to equip fresh graduates with the funding, confidence, and support needed to start and grow sustainable businesses.
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In the latest 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 2025 Batch C, Stream I 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 State (Jos) after pitching innovative business ideas spanning multiple sectors of the economy.
Unity Bank said its cumulative investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge reflects its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, MSME development, and job creation in Nigeria.
Speaking on the impact of the programme, Divisional Head, Retail & SME at Unity Bank, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the bank’s belief in entrepreneurship as a driver of economic transformation.
“At Unity Bank, we recognise that entrepreneurship is 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 empowering young graduates with the confidence to turn viable ideas into sustainable businesses. Reaching over 600 beneficiaries since inception underscores the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth,” she said.
Mrs. Abimbola added that the initiative plays a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s micro, small and medium-scale enterprise (MSME) ecosystem.
“MSMEs 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 impact that goes beyond grants and translates into lasting livelihoods,” she stated.
The Corpreneurship Challenge provides 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 launch or expand their ventures, alongside access to business guidance and mentorship.
Since its inception, the initiative has supported youth-led businesses across sectors such as agribusiness, fashion, food processing, manufacturing, creative services, and retail. Over the years, it has become an integral part of the NYSC experience, attracting thousands of applications annually and earning national recognition for its contribution to youth entrepreneurship.
By sustaining and expanding the Corpreneurship Challenge, Unity Bank continues to strengthen its role as a key partner in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial and MSME development landscape.
