Step by step guide for NiYA Startup for young Nigerian startup and entrepreneurs

NiYA Startup 2.0 for Young Nigerian Startup & Entrepreneurs (Funding Support + Mentorship)

Timileyin AwogbadeMarch 2, 2026March 2, 202605 mins

The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) has officially opened applications for NiYA Startup Pitch 2.0, a nationwide innovation challenge designed to identify and support 100 outstanding youth-led tech startups across Nigeria. This initiative aims to spotlight bold ideas, scalable solutions, and young founders building technology-driven businesses that can transform communities and drive economic growth. Selected startups…

Petty Traders Grant Support Programme FAQ – Eligibility, Application & Payment Guide (2026)

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 27, 2026February 27, 202613 mins

The Petty Traders Grant Support Programme is a non-repayable financial assistance initiative designed to support Nigerian petty traders, micro-business owners, and startup entrepreneurs with small business funding. Application is currently ongoing, interested and eligible applicants can visit Petty Traders Grant Support Programme (Jan. – Mar.) edition to submit their application. RECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Petty Traders…

The Petty Traders Grant Support Programme 2026 offers ₦10,000–₦100,000 to support small businesses in Nigeria.

Petty Traders Grant Support Programme 2026 (Jan – Mar) Now Open for Applications

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 21, 2026February 27, 202643 mins

Applications are now open for the Petty Traders Grant Support Programme (January – March 2026), a community-driven initiative aimed at empowering small-scale business owners across Nigeria. The programme provides financial support to both aspiring and existing petty traders who require small capital to start, stabilize, or expand their businesses. RECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Petty Traders Grant…

Apply: Hallelujah Challenge N50 Million Grant 2026 for SMEs and Students Now Open

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 20, 2026February 20, 202612 mins

The Hallelujah Challenge Grant Initiative, in partnership with Premium Trust Bank, has announced the launch of its ₦50 Million Grant 2026 to support small businesses and students across Nigeria. The initiative is designed to provide financial assistance that promotes business sustainability and eases educational burdens. SEE ALSO: Growing Roots Grant Applications for Business Owners and…

UNESCO-UNEVOC Opens Applications for 2026 TVET Leadership Program

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 16, 2026February 16, 202603 mins

Applications are now open for the UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme (TLP) 2026, a global leadership initiative designed for mid- to senior-level professionals in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The programme is part of the initiative “Towards a Global TVET Agenda”, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women…

BOI and MTN Foundation Launch N1 Billion Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Matching Fund for Women-Led Businesses

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 16, 2026February 16, 202613 mins

The Bank of Industry (BOI), in partnership with the MTN Foundation, has introduced the N1 Billion Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Matching Fund, a major financing initiative aimed at strengthening women-owned businesses across Nigeria. The programme is designed to provide not only capital but also structured business development support to help female entrepreneurs scale sustainably. The new funding…

Federal Government and Ericsson have launched the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon 2026 for Nigerian startups.

Federal Government Launches Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon for Nigerian Startups

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202613 mins

The Federal Government, in collaboration with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), has opened applications for the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon, a national initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian youths and startups with modern digital skills. Participation in the programme is completely free for selected startups, making it a major opportunity for innovators seeking mentorship, exposure, and growth support….

Kestin Pondi Business Grant 2.0 has opened applications for the 2026 edition, supporting 50 Nigerian entrepreneurs with funding and business training.

Kestin Pondi Business Grant 2.0 for Nigerian Entrepreneurs (N5 million + Mentorship)

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202613 mins

Applications are now open for the 2026 edition of the Kestin Pondi Business Grant 2.0, creating fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs across Nigeria. The grant programme offers direct financial support and structured business development guidance to entrepreneurs with viable ideas and early-stage ventures that demonstrate strong potential for growth and job creation. Following the success of…

The Growing Roots Grant for Nigeria is now open, offering up to $10,000 in non-equity funding.

Apply: Growing Roots Grant Applications for Business Owners and Founders in Nigeria

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 10, 2026February 10, 202603 mins

Applications are now open for the Growing Roots Grant for Nigeria, inviting early-stage ventures, social enterprises, and impact-focused founders working to solve pressing social, environmental, and community development challenges across the country. The grant offers non-equity funding of up to $10,000 (USD) to support innovative solutions that strengthen local communities, improve livelihoods, and drive sustainable…

Startup World Cup Competition at the 2026 RegTech Africa Conference, Abuja.

Africa $1m Startup World Cup Competition Opens at RegTech Africa 2026

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 8, 2026February 8, 202604 mins

Applications are now open for African startups to participate in the Startup World Cup Competition, scheduled to take place during the RegTech Africa 2026 Conference and Exhibition in Abuja. The event will bring together innovators, investors, regulators, and global partners, providing African startups with a rare opportunity to showcase their solutions on an international stage….

Apply: Google for Startups Accelerator 2026 (Funding Support, Mentorship, & Free Resources)

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 7, 2026February 7, 202633 mins

Google has officially opened applications for the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator (10th Edition), a 12-week AI-first hybrid accelerator programme targeted at Series A startups based in Africa or building Africa-focused solutions using artificial intelligence and machine learning. The accelerator is designed to support AI-driven scientific, technological, and business breakthroughs across the continent, reinforcing Google’s…

Apply: BOA Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value-Chain Fund (RH-SHF)

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 6, 2026February 6, 202603 mins

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has announced the opening of applications for the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value-Chain Fund (RH-SHF), inviting qualified Farmer Aggregator Companies and offtakers across Nigeria to submit expressions of interest. The initiative is a key component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to strengthen agricultural productivity by supporting…

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has opened applications for the 2026 Rent Relief Scheme following a recent tax reform

Application for UNILAG 2026 Rent Relief (PAYE) Now Open

Timileyin AwogbadeFebruary 2, 2026February 2, 202602 mins

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has opened applications for the 2026 Rent Relief Scheme following a recent tax reform that allows rent relief for staff under the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system. This initiative is aimed at easing housing-related financial pressure for eligible members of staff. RECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps…

Her Africa Early Stage Incubator Application

Her Africa Early Stage Incubator (HAESI) Opens Funding Applications for Young Social Entrepreneurs

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 25, 2026January 25, 202603 mins

The Her Africa Early Stage Incubator (HAESI), a flagship initiative of the Alliance for Women and Girls (AFWAG), has officially opened applications for its 2026 cohort. The programme is a fully supported, Pan-African incubator designed to nurture young social entrepreneurs who are building solutions that promote gender justice and improve the lives of women and…

FG Announces Startup Grants and BOI Soft Loans TVET Trainees Graduates to Launch Businesses

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 19, 2026January 19, 202604 mins

The Federal Government has announced that beneficiaries of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme will receive startup grants and gain access to soft loans from the Bank of Industry (BOI) to help them establish their own businesses after completing their training. This is for TVET trainees graduates. The Minister of Education, Dr…

How to participate in Premier Cool and PalmPay Promo

Premier Cool and PalmPay Launch “10K for 10K” Promo (10,000 Nigerians to Win N10,000 Each)

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 16, 2026January 16, 202603 mins

Premier Cool, one of Nigeria’s leading antibacterial cooling bar soap brands, has launched a massive nationwide consumer reward campaign in partnership with digital banking platform PalmPay. The campaign, tagged “10K for 10K”, will reward 10,000 Nigerians with ₦10,000 each, amounting to a total cash giveaway of ₦100 million. The promotion officially runs from January 12…

World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator Programme (Offers Up to $100,000 in Equity-Free Funding)

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 13, 2026January 13, 202604 mins

The World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator has officially opened a global call for applications from innovators, startups, NGOs, social enterprises, and mission-driven companies working to solve some of the world’s most urgent humanitarian and development challenges. This opportunity is targeted at organisations and teams developing innovative solutions to improve food security, strengthen climate resilience,…

Grant by Adewuyi Research Animal Foundation

ARA Foundation Opens N1 Million Research Animal Grant for Nigerian Researchers (Jan–Feb 2026 Phase)

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 6, 2026January 6, 202603 mins

The Adewuyi Research Animal Foundation (ARA Foundation) has announced the opening of its January–February 2026 Research Grant Phase, making a total of ₦1,000,000 available to Nigerian biomedical researchers conducting animal-based scientific studies. This funding initiative is created to strengthen ethical, high-quality biomedical research in Nigeria by supporting students and early-career researchers who rely on animal…

Call for Applications: AU EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant (€30,000 Funding)

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 6, 2026January 6, 202603 mins

Applications are now open for the AU EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant, a major funding opportunity supporting youth-led organisations and social enterprises working to expand economic opportunities for young people across Africa and Europe. The grant provides up to €30,000 to eligible organisations building responsible, sustainable, and income-generating solutions that tackle youth unemployment, economic…

2026 Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit N200m Recoverable Grant Applications

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 5, 2026January 5, 202602 mins

The Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit (OES) has officially opened applications for its ₦200 million Recoverable Grant Revolving Fund, a flagship funding initiative created to support and grow indigenous businesses across Ogoniland, Rivers State. This funding programme is designed to improve access to finance for Ogoni entrepreneurs, strengthen local enterprises, and promote sustainable economic activities within host…

SFDP Health Innovation Challenge 2026 ($300 Grants for Nigerian Youth)

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 2, 2026January 2, 202603 mins

Applications are now open for the SFDP Health Innovation Challenge 2026, an opportunity created to support young Nigerians developing practical and affordable solutions to public health problems. The challenge awards $300 mini-grants to each of the top three selected teams to help turn innovative ideas into real-life community health projects. This initiative is organised by…

Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme 2026 ($5,000 Grant + Training & Mentorship)

Timileyin AwogbadeJanuary 1, 2026February 19, 202603 mins

Applications are now open for the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme 2026, one of Africa’s most impactful initiatives supporting young and emerging business owners. The programme is designed to equip African entrepreneurs with the tools, funding, and guidance needed to build viable and scalable businesses. Through a combination of business education, mentorship, and non-repayable…

Call for Application: Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP Grant) for Nigerian Women in Business

Timileyin AwogbadeDecember 26, 2025December 26, 202504 mins

The Federal Government has opened opportunities for women across Nigeria to benefit from the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP Grant). It is a women-focused empowerment initiative aimed at improving livelihoods through skills development, cooperative support, and livelihood grants. The programme is implemented with support from the World Bank and targets women engaged in small businesses…

APPLY: Green Entrepreneurship Challenge (USD 30,000-50,000 Funding & Support)

Timileyin AwogbadeDecember 25, 2025December 25, 202503 mins

The Green Entrepreneurship Challenge is now open for applications, inviting innovators, founders, and change-makers with green and climate-positive business ideas to compete for support that can help turn environmental solutions into viable enterprises. The challenge targets individuals and teams developing sustainable innovations or business models that address environmental challenges while also creating economic opportunities and…

Deji Alli Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) 2026 (₦12 Million Grant for Nigerian Students)

Editorial TeamDecember 20, 2025December 20, 202503 mins

The Deji Alli Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) 2026 is a prestigious entrepreneurship grant created to support young Nigerian innovators with bold, scalable startup ideas. If you are a Nigerian student or recent graduate aged 18 to 35 with a solution-driven business, this award offers a rare opportunity to turn your idea into a viable company…