Unity Bank Disburses Over ₦270m to NYSC Corpreneurs, Boosts Youth Entrepreneurship Nationwide
“Unity Bank disburses over ₦270m to NYSC corps members through its Corpreneurship Challenge, empowering young entrepreneurs and boosting MSME growth.”
Unity Bank Plc has disbursed over ₦270 million in grants to young Nigerian entrepreneurs under its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, the Corpreneurship Challenge, bringing the total number of beneficiaries since inception in 2019 to 608 corps members nationwide.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, is designed to equip fresh graduates with the funding, confidence, and institutional support required to launch and scale sustainable businesses.
In the most recent edition of the Corpreneurship Challenge, held between November 18 and December 9, 2025, across 10 NYSC orientation camps nationwide, 30 youth corps members emerged as winners during the Batch C, Stream I, 2025 service year.
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 diverse sectors of the economy.
Unity Bank’s cumulative investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge underscores the lender’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, MSME development, and job creation in Nigeria.
Speaking on the sustained impact of the initiative, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the Bank’s confidence in entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic growth.
“At Unity Bank, we recognise that entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective tools for tackling youth unemployment and driving inclusive economic growth. Through the Corpreneurship Challenge, we are not only providing financial support, but also instilling confidence in young graduates to transform viable ideas into sustainable businesses. Reaching over 600 beneficiaries since inception reinforces our belief in the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth,” she said.
Mrs. Abimbola further highlighted the programme’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s micro, small and medium-scale enterprise (MSME) ecosystem and delivering long-term economic value.
“Small and medium-scale enterprises 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 on an impact that goes beyond grants—impact that translates into lasting livelihoods,” she added.
The Corpreneurship Challenge provides a competitive platform where corps members pitch business ideas assessed on originality, feasibility, market demand, scalability, and job-creation potential. Successful participants receive non-repayable financial grants, alongside access to business guidance and mentorship.
Since its launch, the initiative has supported youth-led enterprises across key value chains, including fashion, agribusiness, food processing, creative services, manufacturing, 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 empowerment.
By sustaining and expanding the Corpreneurship Challenge, Unity Bank continues to reinforce its role as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s entrepreneurship and MSME development landscape.
