FG ₦5m Youth Fund: How to Apply for NiYA-Cascador Programme
The Federal Government has announced a new programme that will give selected young Nigerian entrepreneurs access to up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding.
The initiative, known as the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme, is being implemented through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in partnership with Cascador.
The programme is designed to help early-stage business founders strengthen their enterprises, become investment-ready and improve their chances of accessing capital.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the initiative as part of the ministry’s efforts to create practical opportunities for young Nigerians.
What is the NiYA-Cascador Founders Programme?
The NiYA-Cascador Founders Programme is an entrepreneurship development initiative focused on young business owners and early-stage founders.
Rather than providing funding immediately to every applicant, the programme will first take selected entrepreneurs through an intensive four-week development process.
The training will cover important areas of entrepreneurship, including business fundamentals, investment readiness and pitch preparation.
Participants will also receive one-on-one mentorship to help them improve their businesses and prepare for potential investment opportunities.
How much funding is available?
Successful top-performing founders will be eligible to receive up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding from Cascador.
Because the funding is non-dilutive, selected beneficiaries will not be required to give up equity in their businesses in exchange for the funding.
However, the ₦5 million is not guaranteed for every person who applies.
Only the founders who perform best during the programme will be selected for the funding opportunity.
Other benefits for selected entrepreneurs
The programme will provide more than training and potential financial support.
Beneficiaries will also receive an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution designed to help them organise, manage and scale their businesses.
The combination of business training, mentorship, investment-readiness preparation and business management tools is intended to help participating entrepreneurs build stronger and more sustainable companies.
Why the Federal Government launched the programme
According to the Minister of Youth Development, the initiative is intended to address the gap between entrepreneurship training and actual access to capital.
Many young business owners may have viable ideas or operating businesses but lack the financial history, networks or investment-readiness experience needed to attract funding.
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The NiYA-Cascador partnership is therefore designed to help entrepreneurs move from acquiring business knowledge to preparing for investment and building sustainable enterprises.
When will applications open?
Applications for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme are scheduled to open on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Young Nigerian entrepreneurs interested in participating should monitor the Nigerian Youth Academy’s official platform when the application window opens.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements, application form and submission instructions published on the official platform before submitting their applications.
How to apply for the ₦5m programme
Interested entrepreneurs should follow these steps:
- Visit the official Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) platform when applications open.
- Look for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme application.
- Review the eligibility requirements and programme guidelines.
- Complete the application form with accurate information.
- Provide the required details about the business or startup.
- Submit the application before the stated deadline.
- If shortlisted, participate fully in the four-week programme and its training and mentorship activities.
Applicants should rely on the official NiYA platform for the latest application instructions and avoid paying third parties who claim they can secure selection.
Is the ₦5 million guaranteed?
No.
The programme does not promise ₦5 million to every applicant.
The funding is intended for the top-performing founders selected through the programme. Participants will first undergo the development programme before the strongest performers are considered for the non-dilutive funding.
This distinction is important for applicants who may interpret the programme as a general ₦5 million grant for everyone who registers.
What entrepreneurs can gain from the programme
Beyond the potential funding, participants can benefit from business training, mentorship, investment-readiness preparation, pitch development and access to an ERP solution.
For early-stage founders, these resources could help improve business operations and make their companies better prepared for future investment opportunities.
The programme represents another Federal Government effort to connect Nigerian youths with entrepreneurship development and access to business capital.
