The winners, budding entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions across various business value chains including fashion design, bag making, pastry making, event management, beauty, vegetable farming, and more, emerged tops after participating in a business pitch competition held recently for Batch A Stream 2 across 10 NYSC Orientation Camps in Cross River, Niger, Abuja, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Jigawa, Anambra, and Lagos States.

At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Lagos State, corps member Adeniyi Stephen Gbemininyi, who pitched a fashion design business, emerged as the overall winner, clinching the ₦800,000 grand prize. Kolawole Opeoluwa Darasimi, a budding bag maker, won a ₦500,000 grant, while Johnson Elizabeth Ene received a ₦300,000 grant to support her cake and pastry business.

Across the remaining nine states, 27 other winners also emerged after pitching business plans in diverse sectors such as fish production, poultry farming, fashion, soap and cake making, printing, piggery, beverage production, and more.

Over the past six years, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become an integral part of the NYSC programme, aligning with the Federal Government’s commitment to upskilling fresh graduates amid the growing dearth of white-collar jobs.

The programme attracts thousands of applications from serving NYSC corps members, whose business plans are evaluated for originality, marketability, employability potential, and overall business acumen.

Speaking during the grand finale in Lagos, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, said:

“At Unity Bank, we believe that empowering young people to shape Nigeria’s economic future must be supported to provide longer-term sustainability. Through the Corpreneurship Challenge, we are not just providing funding, but nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs equipped with the skills, resources, and confidence to create jobs and transform communities. The success stories we see year after year reaffirm our commitment to youth empowerment and SME development.”

She added: “The overwhelming interest and high quality of business ideas we receive in every edition demonstrate the incredible potential among Nigeria’s youth. We are proud to partner with the NYSC SAED to make these dreams a reality.”

The Corpreneurship Challenge has earned Unity Bank national recognition for its contribution to youth empowerment and job creation, attracting over 2,000 applicants per edition.

In partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the initiative features a business pitch competition that allows participants to present their business plans and win grants of up to ₦800,000.

So far, Unity Bank has invested over ₦100 million in the initiative, producing over 160 winners since its launch in 2019.

The Bowen University award plaque which was signed by the institution’s vice chancellor, prof Joshua Ogunwole and its registrar, Mr. Babatunde Adetona, was “in recognition of New Horizons support to the Committee of Vice-chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities of Nigeria (CVCRPUN).”

The CEO of New Horizons, received NYSC’s award of the ‘Icon of Youth Empowerment’ for his relentless commitment and unparalleled passion for youths empowerment while the company was designated by NYSC as, ‘A Critical Partner in Youth Empowerment’.

Brigadier Shuaibu Ibrahim, the director-general, NYSC, while confirming the awards said, “NYSC Management wishes to place on record that New Horizons Systems Ltd under your able leadership as Managing Director/CEO, is unwavering in its commitment and support for the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme (SAED) of the NYSC.

“This is evident in the cost-free ICT skill/digital training from which hundreds of corps member and many NYSC SAED officers are currently benefiting. In view of the forgoing, the NYSC Management honours you with the award of ‘Icon of Youth Empowerment’,” he said.

Mr. Tim Akano, CEO of the training outfit, said the honours by NYSC and Bowen University is a testament of the company’s efforts to build future generations that would make Nigeria a global economic powerhouse.

New Horizons is Nigeria’s largest ICT training company, having empowered over 1.2 million Nigerians with relevant ICT skills in the last 16 years, bridging Nigeria technical IT skill gaps.

The Nigerian company is a franchisee of New Horizons worldwide, the world’s largest independent IT training company with offices in 90 countries globally.

In the last 16 years, New Horizons Nigeria has won over 50 national, continental and international awards and industry recognitions while Tim Akano has won over 60 individual awards.