Business
Corpreneurship Challenge: Unity Bank Splashes N10m Grant on 30 Corps Members
Unity Bank Entrepreneurship Development Initiative – Corpreneurship Challenge, targeted at empowering fresh graduates and Corp Members on one-year compulsory national youth service has, in its ninth edition of the Corpreneurship Challenge held across 10 States recently, doled out N10 million grant to 30 winners.
The winners emerged after a business pitch presentation held across 10 States; namely, Rivers, Delta, Sokoto, Edo, Abuja, Akwa-Ibom, Osun, Kano, Bayelsa, and Enugu, with each state producing three winners who took home cash grants of N500,000, N300,000 and N200,000.
The winners of this ninth edition included Corp Members focusing developing entreneurship in renewable energy, fashion, beauty, agro-processing, confectionaries, etc.
Some of the winners at the Rivers State NYSC Orientation camp at Nonwa Gbam Tai included Muoneke Gift, whose business plan on renewable energy took home the grand prize of N500, 000; followed by Ilesanmi Olamide’s business proposal on beauty services to claim the N300, 000-business grant for first runner up. Ekanem Moses Idoreyin’s confectionary business proposal took home the N200, 000 grant.
The winners emerged after their business plans were assessed by a panel looking out for business ideas that demonstrate originality, marketability, future employability potential of the product, and knowledge of the business.
The Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has gradually joined the league of some of the most impactful, youth-focused entrepreneurship development initiatives in Nigeria, empowering no fewer than 100 young entrepreneurs over the past three years.
Recently, one of the beneficiaries in Sokoto, Beulah Yusuf, who emerged as second runner-up in one of the editions successfully launched her recycling business with the grant received from the Bank. She unveiled her products widely acclaimed for addressing environmental pollution and waste management inefficiencies, underscoring the Bank’s motivations to sustain the initiative.
Speaking during the finale at Rivers State NYSC Orientation Camp recently, the Group Head, Retail, E-Business, and SME Banking, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Olufunwa Akinmade, said the Bank was delighted with the impressive records the Corpreneurship Challenge has pulled so far.
“When we launched the initiative in 2019, we set out to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs that will disrupt the job market by creating much-needed jobs across all sectors. Today, we have come a long way and the Corpreneurship Challenge has lived up to its billing.”
Represented by Regional Manager, Port Harcourt Region, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Eto Ukpe, Akinmade reiterated the Bank’s commitment to sustaining the initiative and mainstreaming the Corpreneurship Challenge as a reliable and impactful entrepreneurship and business empowerment and mentorship programme in the country.
“What we have today in the labour market is far from the ideal. However, it is not enough to keep complaining. We must make lemonade out of lemon. We believe that the Corpreneurship Challenge has proved to be one of the most creative approaches to tackling the intractable crisis we have in the job market in Nigeria.”
“Our goal is to expand this programme to all 36 states and sustain it for as long as possible to achieve record impact. We continue to encourage the winners to continue to learn the rudimentary lessons necessary to build a successful business. We emphasize that the budding entrepreneurs who take part in this initiative constantly think about the challenges they will face and put the same energy they all have displayed in preparing for this contest in their businesses as they face their post-service year ahead.”
The Corpreneurship Challenge, which has earned the Bank national recognition for its impact on youth empowerment and job creation, has continued to elicit growing interest among the corps members, attracting over 2000 applicants and participation in every edition.
In partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, the initiative prominently features a business pitch presentation that provides the participants with the opportunity to present their business plans and stand a chance to win up to N500, 000 cash in the business grant.
So far, Unity Bank has invested over N100 million in the initiative which has now produced 118 winners since it was launched in 2019.
Financial Strength and Market Position
Fidelity Bank Plc has demonstrated remarkable financial resilience, solidifying its position as one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions. Recent reports highlight the bank’s impressive growth trajectory, including its re-entry into the N1 trillion market capitalization club and a 167.8% increase in profit before tax (PBT) to N105.8 billion in Q1 2025. Fidelity Bank’s financial performance has been exceptional, with a 64.2% year-on-year increase in gross earnings to N315.4 billion in Q1 2025. The bank’s total deposits have surged to N6.6 trillion, driven by a 21.4% increase in foreign currency deposits. These figures highlight its ability to attract and retain capital, ensuring liquidity and operational efficiency.
Investor Confidence and Regulatory Compliance
Fidelity Bank’s stock performance has been impressive, with a 237% oversubscription in its capital raise venture. Analysts predict continued growth, with gross earnings expected to reach N1.5 trillion and profit before tax projected at N415.4 billion in 2025. The bank’s ability to meet the N500 billion capitalization target set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) underscores its financial resilience and regulatory compliance.
Support for Small and Medium Enterprises
Fidelity Bank’s commitment to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) plays a crucial role in its significance to the economy. By providing tailored financial solutions and resources for SMEs, such as the recently launched SME Hub, the bank contributes to job creation and economic development, further cementing its importance in the financial ecosystem.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
Fidelity Bank has demonstrated a strong commitment to regulatory compliance and risk management. By maintaining capital adequacy ratios above the required thresholds – liquidity ratio at 54.7% and capital adequacy ratio (CAR) at 20.3%, compared to the minimum requirement of 30.0% and 15.0%, respectively- the bank not only ensures its own stability but also contributes to the overall health of the banking sector.
Strategic Expansion and International Presence
The bank’s acquisition of Union Bank UK in 2023 marked a significant step toward international expansion. This move strengthens its global footprint and enhances its ability to serve a diverse clientele. Fidelity Bank’s leadership has also set ambitious goals to elevate the institution to tier-1 status, further reinforcing its stability and growth potential.
It is also worth noting that global best practice allows for judgement payments of this nature to be made in installments as agreed by the relevant parties. This is to ensure that the judgement is executed to the letter in a sustainable manner.
Fidelity Bank on Monday confirmed a subsisting Supreme Court judgement involving GCappa and Sagecom Concepts Limited, adding its computation puts the settlement figure at N14 billion.
The bank disclosed this in a statement on Monday, maintaining that the issues leading up to the judgment arose from a legacy transaction between the defunct FSB International Bank and Sagecom Concepts Limited.
The bank clarified, however, that a sponsored publication of the apex court judgement has allegedly been orchestrated and syndicated in the media with the aim of embarrassing the bank.
Source: Nairametrics
As global financial fraud surges to over $485 billion in annual losses, Access Holdings PLC is setting a new standard in Africa’s banking industry through aggressive and strategic investment in technology aimed at combating the growing threat, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
With Nigeria’s financial sector experiencing a spike in digital fraud, particularly through mobile and online channels, Access Holdings has emerged as a front-runner in fraud prevention through innovation.
In 2024, Access Holdings, the parent company of Access Bank, recorded a landmark ₦193.5 billion ($120.5 million) in technology investments, a 147% increase over the previous year and the highest IT spend in Nigeria’s banking industry. This bold move has paid off significantly. The Group reported a 73% drop in fraud-related losses, falling from ₦6.15 billion in 2023 to just ₦1.64 billion in 2024.“Our customers’ trust is our most valuable asset,” said Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc.
“In a world of rising digital risks, we have chosen to lead with innovation and resilience. Our sustained investment in cybersecurity, AI-driven fraud detection, and biometric authentication is delivering real results, and reinforcing confidence in our digital banking platforms.”
Globally, banks like JPMorgan Chase are increasing technology budgets to combat fraud, with a record $17 billion in 2024. Nigeria is not left behind. Among local peers, Access Holdings has demonstrated the strongest correlation between strategic tech spending and measurable fraud reduction.
Access Holdings’ investments include AI-driven transaction monitoring, biometric verification systems, enhanced core banking upgrades, and real-time fraud analytics, all designed to detect and respond to threats with speed and precision.
While digital innovation is expanding access to banking, it has also exposed customers and institutions to evolving threats.
According to Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) data, fraud incidents in the country jumped 112% from 2019 to 2023, underscoring the urgent need for systemic countermeasures.
Access Holdings’ proactive stance not only affirms its leadership in Nigeria’s digital banking landscape but also offers a compelling model for financial institutions across Africa looking to secure trust in an increasingly digital world.
