FG Launches ₦5m Funding Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs

The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme, which will provide up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding to selected young entrepreneurs. Announced by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Facebook, the initiative aims to help young founders become investment-ready and gain access to funding.

The pilot programme will last four weeks and includes training on business fundamentals, investment readiness, pitch preparation, and one-on-one mentorship. At the end of the programme, top-performing founders will receive funding from Cascador.

Additionally, beneficiaries will be provided with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to assist in managing and scaling their businesses. Olawande emphasized that the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between training and access to capital for young entrepreneurs who may lack the financial history or networks typically required for funding.

Applications will open on the Nigerian Youth Academy website, where interested entrepreneurs can find eligibility requirements and submission guidelines.