ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has launched a new initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerian entrepreneurs with significant financial and developmental support. The NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme will provide up to N5 million in non-dilutive funding to selected early-stage founders.

This programme is a collaborative effort between the Nigerian Youth Academy, operating under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and Cascador. Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the initiative on Facebook, stating its primary goal is to equip young founders with the necessary tools to become investment-ready and secure funding.

The pilot phase of the programme involves an intensive four-week curriculum. Participants will engage in comprehensive training covering essential business fundamentals, strategies for investment readiness, and effective pitch preparation. They will also benefit from one-on-one mentorship throughout the duration of the programme.

Upon completion, the entrepreneurs who demonstrate the highest performance will be eligible to receive up to N5 million each in non-dilutive funding from Cascador. This funding is intended to provide a substantial boost to their ventures without requiring them to give up equity.

In addition to the financial support, beneficiaries will also be provided with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution. This tool is designed to assist them in structuring, managing, and scaling their businesses more effectively.

Minister Olawande highlighted that the initiative seeks to address the critical gap between receiving training and gaining access to capital. This is particularly important for young entrepreneurs who may not yet possess the extensive financial history or established networks typically demanded by traditional funding sources.

“We do not want to stop at training. We want to build a stronger bridge from learning to enterprise, from ideas to investment readiness, and from potential to sustainable businesses,” the minister stated, emphasizing the programme's commitment to practical outcomes.

The partnership leading to this initiative stems from ongoing engagements between the ministry and Cascador, including a meeting hosted by the minister on April 29. Olawande views this programme as a tangible example of how such collaborations can yield concrete opportunities for Nigerian youths.

Applications for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme are scheduled to open on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Interested entrepreneurs are advised to monitor the Nigerian Youth Academy website for the official eligibility criteria, application forms, and submission guidelines once applications become available.

It is important to note that the N5 million funding is not guaranteed for all applicants. The financial awards will be exclusively granted to the top-performing founders identified through the rigorous selection process of the programme.