Abayomi Susan
Unity Bank Plc has announced the winners of the 27th edition of its flagship Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, the Corpreneurship Challenge, following the conclusion of the Business Pitch at the Batch C, Stream 2 edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation programme across 10 states.
Corps members from leading tertiary institutions including Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and The Polytechnic, Ibadan emerged as winners after presenting business ideas spanning fashion, agribusiness, footwear production, and service industries.
At the Lagos State NYSC Orientation Camp, Awolumate Fawaz Babatunde, a Civil Engineering graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, won the overall prize with a fashion design business, receiving ₦800,000. Ugwoke Daniel Ifechukwu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was first runner-up, earning ₦500,000.
In Rivers State, Abdur-Razaq Sayfullah Adebola, an OAU graduate, emerged top at the Nonwa Gbam Tai NYSC Orientation Camp with a footwear-making business. Meanwhile, Olatunde Esther Funmilayo of Olabisi Onabanjo University clinched the prize at the Kwara State NYSC Orientation Camp with her deodorant production and services pitch.
Additional winners were announced from Abuja, Niger, Adamawa, Jigawa, Plateau, Kaduna, and Delta States, reflecting the growing reach and impact of the initiative.
Speaking on the programme, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Divisional Head, Retail, SME & E-Business at Unity Bank, highlighted the Bank’s commitment to youth empowerment through entrepreneurship.
“The Corpreneurship Challenge is driven by our commitment to supporting young Nigerians with viable business ideas who may lack the capital or mentorship to bring them to life. By providing financial backing, guidance, and confidence, we aim to equip graduates at a critical stage of their journey,” Abimbola said.
She added that the high quality of ideas presented by corps members demonstrates the growing entrepreneurial drive among Nigerian youths.
“Every edition showcases innovation, resilience, and a strong desire to create value and jobs. Supporting these young entrepreneurs contributes not only to individual success but also to the growth of the SME sector and the broader economy,” she noted.
Since its inception, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge, delivered in partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative, has produced 638 young entrepreneurs nationwide, awarding grants of up to ₦300 million to help corps members start or scale their businesses.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among graduates, particularly amid shrinking white-collar job opportunities. Unity Bank remains committed to expanding the Corpreneurship Challenge, further supporting young entrepreneurs as part of its broader strategy to drive financial inclusion, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.
