Unity Bank Plc awarded a total of ₦16 million in business grants to over 30 young entrepreneurs in its latest edition of the flagship entrepreneurship initiative, the Corpreneurship Challenge.
The winners, emerging from a competitive business pitch event, represent a diverse range of sectors including fashion design, bag making, pastry baking, event planning, beauty, vegetable farming, and more. The competition, held across ten NYSC Orientation Camps in states such as Cross River, Niger, Abuja, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Jigawa, Anambra, and Lagos, saw participants vie for funding by presenting innovative business ideas.
At the NYSC camp in Ipaja, Lagos, corps member Adeniyi Stephen Gbemininyi secured the top prize with his fashion design business, earning ₦800,000. Kolawole Opeoluwa Darasimi, a rising bag maker, received ₦500,000, while Johnson Elizabeth Ene was awarded ₦300,000 to expand her cake and pastry business.
In addition to these top winners, Unity Bank recognized 27 other entrepreneurs across the remaining states for their promising ventures in areas such as fish farming, poultry, soap and cake making, printing, piggery, and beverage production.
Since its inception six years ago, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become a vital component of the NYSC program, aligning with the Federal Government’s efforts to equip graduates with entrepreneurial skills amid a growing shortage of white-collar jobs. The competition attracts thousands of applications from serving NYSC corps members, with selections based on originality, market potential, employability, and business viability.
During the grand finale in Lagos, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Divisional Head of Retail & SME at Unity Bank, emphasized the bank’s commitment: “At Unity Bank, we believe in empowering Nigeria’s youth to shape the country’s economic future. Our Corpreneurship Challenge not only provides funding but also nurtures a new generation of entrepreneurs equipped with skills, resources, and confidence to create jobs and uplift communities. The success stories we see every year reaffirm our dedication to youth empowerment and SME development.”
She further noted, “The high volume and quality of innovative business ideas we receive each edition demonstrate the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth. We are proud to partner with NYSC SAED to turn these aspirations into reality.”
The Corpreneurship Challenge has garnered national recognition for its role in youth empowerment and job creation, receiving over 2,000 applications per edition. Since its launch in 2019, Unity Bank has invested over ₦100 million through the program, supporting more than 160 winners to date.
For more information on Unity Bank’s SME initiatives, visit Unity Bank Official Website.
