OAU, UNN Graduates Emerge Winners as Unity Bank Rewards NYSC Entrepreneurs in Corpreneurship Challenge

OAU and UNN graduates emerged winners as Unity Bank rewarded NYSC Entrepreneurs in Corpreneurship Challenge.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Unity Bank Plc has announced winners of the 27th edition of its flagship Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, the Corpreneurship Challenge, following the Business Pitch session held during the Batch C, Stream 2 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation programme across 10 states nationwide.

Fresh graduates from leading tertiary institutions, including Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and The Polytechnic, Ibadan, emerged top contenders in the highly competitive business pitch, which featured innovative ideas spanning fashion, agribusiness, footwear production, manufacturing, and service-based ventures.

At the Lagos State NYSC Orientation Camp, Awolumate Fawaz Babatunde, a Civil Engineering graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, clinched the N800,000 grand prize after presenting a compelling fashion design business proposal. Ugwoke Daniel Ifechukwu, a graduate of UNN, secured the first runner-up position, winning N500,000.

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In Rivers State, Abdur-Razaq Sayfullah Adebola, an OAU graduate, topped the competition at the Nonwa Gbam Tai NYSC Orientation Camp with a footwear manufacturing business plan. Meanwhile, Olatunde Esther Funmilayo of Olabisi Onabanjo University emerged winner in Kwara State with her deodorant production and services concept.

Additional winners were recorded in Abuja, Niger, Adamawa, Jigawa, Plateau, Kaduna, and Delta States, further reinforcing the nationwide impact of the initiative.

Speaking on the programme, the Divisional Head, Retail, SME & E-Business at Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to youth empowerment and enterprise development.

“The Corpreneurship Challenge reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs, especially fresh graduates. Many young Nigerians have viable business ideas but lack the seed capital and guidance to actualise them. This initiative bridges that gap by providing financial support, mentorship, and the confidence needed to start strong,” she said.

Abimbola noted that the calibre of business ideas presented across states highlights the growing entrepreneurial spirit among Nigerian youths.

“With every edition, we witness innovation, resilience, and a determination to create value and employment. By supporting these young entrepreneurs early, we are strengthening the SME ecosystem and contributing meaningfully to national economic growth,” she added.

Delivered in partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the Corpreneurship Challenge has become a signature component of the NYSC orientation exercise. Since its inception, the initiative has produced 638 young entrepreneurs nationwide, disbursing grants totalling nearly N300 million to support start-ups and business expansion.

The programme aligns with the Federal Government’s push to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among graduates amid declining white-collar job opportunities.

Unity Bank reiterated its commitment to expanding the reach of the Corpreneurship Challenge as part of its broader strategy to advance financial inclusion, drive job creation, and foster sustainable economic development across Nigeria.