Unity Bank Boosts Entrepreneurship Development Initiative

 Unity Bank Boosts Entrepreneurship Development Initiative

In a strategic move aimed at bolstering startup capital and amplifying support for emerging young entrepreneurs across Nigeria, Unity Bank Plc has recently announced a significant increase in the prize money allocated to winners of its esteemed Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, known as the Corpreneurship Challenge. This initiative has been pivotal in fostering entrepreneurial growth within the country.

The revised prize structure now offers a substantial total prize money of 16 million Naira per stream. Winners of the business pitch competition will now receive enhanced grants, with the first, second, and third place winners securing N800,000, N500,000, and N300,000 respectively. This noteworthy adjustment represents a significant boost compared to previous editions, underscoring Unity Bank's unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering aspiring business leaders.

Launched in 2019, the Corpreneurship Challenge initiative initially piloted in four states, including Lagos, Edo, Ogun, and Abuja. Since then, it has expanded its footprint to encompass ten states by 2020. This expansion has been made possible through a strategic partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program.

The cornerstone of the Corpreneurship Challenge is the business pitch presentation, providing participants with a platform to showcase their innovative business concepts and vie for coveted business grants. The recently concluded edition for the 2024 NYSC Batch A, Stream 1 witnessed the emergence of 30 winners from diverse sectors such as poultry farming, fashion, and pastries, among others. These winners exhibited exceptional entrepreneurial acumen during the rigorous business pitch sessions conducted across ten NYSC Orientation Camps situated in various states including Rivers, Delta, Anambra, Abia, Oyo, Ogun, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

At the Delta State NYSC Orientation Camp, Folorunsho Kolade emerged as the overall winner with a poultry farming business plan, clinching the grand prize of N800,000. Similarly, at the Nonwa Gbam Tai camp in Rivers State, Dan Betobong Samuel's food production business plan secured the top spot, earning him the same grand prize. Other notable winners included Samuel Ayodotun J. and Udoji Chibuike Peter, who impressed the adjudicators with their innovative business concepts in footwear ventures.

Mrs. Adenike Ambimbola, the Divisional Head of Retail and SME Banking at Unity Bank, commended the participating Corps Members for their ingenuity and pledged the bank's unwavering support for the Entrepreneurship Development Scheme. She emphasized Unity Bank's dedication to fostering youth empowerment and driving positive economic change through strategic interventions and financial assistance.

Dr. Opeyemi Ojesina, Head of SME Banking at Unity Bank, expressed delight at the growing prominence of the Corpreneurship Challenge as a premier business incubation platform and catalyst for entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. He highlighted the program's innovative approach, which combines financial backing, mentorship, and skill development to nurture aspiring entrepreneurs towards success.

Unity Bank's sustained investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge has yielded remarkable results, with over 369 winners produced since its inception in 2019. The bank's commitment to youth empowerment was further underscored when it was honored with the prestigious "Icon of Youth Empowerment" award by the NYSC leadership in 2021, in recognition of the initiative's impactful contributions to society.

The Corpreneurship Challenge continues to attract widespread interest among NYSC corps members, with each edition witnessing a surge in applications and active participation. Unity Bank remains resolute in its mission to empower the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs, driving innovation, job creation, and economic prosperity across the nation.