₦5m Up for Grabs: NiYA Opens Applications for 20 Young Entrepreneurs
Abuja, August 19, 2026 — The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, has officially opened the grant application portal for the highly anticipated NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme, giving young Nigerian entrepreneurs a fresh pathway to accelerate their businesses and access significant non-dilutive funding.
Announced earlier this month to mark International Youth Day, the pilot programme will select 20 early-stage founders for a structured four-week journey focused on business fundamentals, investment readiness, pitch preparation, and one-on-one mentorship.
At the end of the cohort, the eight top-performing founders stand to receive up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding from Cascador, along with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution designed to help them structure, manage and scale their operations.
The total programme envelope stands at ₦40 million. Applications opened on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, via the official portal at startup.niya.gov.ng/fmyd/grants and are scheduled to close on August 21, 2026.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility criteria emphasize genuine youth-led ventures. Applicants must:
- Have completed at least one course on the Nigerian Youth Academy platform
- Ensure the business is at least 51% owned by founder(s) aged 18–35
- Have at least one founder aged 18–35 working full-time in a leadership role
- Be registered and operating in Nigeria
- Have already launched a product or service with evidence of customer adoption
The programme is particularly aimed at early-stage founders who may lack formal financial track records or easy access to traditional capital. It will run primarily in-person in Abuja with virtual components and dedicated mentorship.
A Practical Bridge to Capital
NiYA and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development will handle founder selection, training delivery and day-to-day coordination, while Cascador will support investment-readiness training, evaluate pitches and provide the funding.
All 20 graduates will retain NiYA alumni status and enjoy priority consideration for future opportunities.
“This partnership opens a practical pathway for young Nigerian founders to move from ideas and early-stage businesses to investment readiness, mentorship, and access to capital,” organizers noted in earlier announcements.
The initiative forms part of the broader “One Youth, Two Skills” agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope programme, designed to equip young Nigerians with the tools, networks and capital needed to drive economic growth.
Young founders ready to take the next step are encouraged to create a profile on the portal, review the full eligibility requirements, and submit their applications without delay.
With only a short window remaining before the deadline, early submission is advised.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://startup.niya.gov.ng/fmyd/grants
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