FMYD, NiYA, Cascador Partner to Expand Funding Access for Young Entrepreneurs

FMYD, NiYA, Cascador Partner to Expand Funding Access for Young Entrepreneurs

…Eight top-performing founders to receive up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding — Olawande

By Sarah Kitka

Abuja (Core Reporters) The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD), through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), has partnered with Cascador to expand opportunities for young Nigerian entrepreneurs to build investment-ready businesses and access capital.

The partnership, announced as part of activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day, is aimed at bridging the gap between youth skills development, entrepreneurship, business growth and access to finance.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that youth empowerment goes beyond training to include practical opportunities for enterprise development and access to funding.

The NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme will commence with a pilot cohort of 20 early-stage Nigerian youth founders, including entrepreneurs without formal business registration or established financial track records.

Over four weeks, participants will receive training in business fundamentals, investment readiness and pitch preparation, alongside virtual engagements and one-on-one mentorship.

At the end of the programme, eight top-performing founders will each receive up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding from Cascador, as well as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to support the structuring, management and growth of their businesses.

The programme will culminate in a Pitch Day organised by NiYA/FMYD, where participants will present their businesses before a panel of judges.

The Minister said the pilot programme supports NiYA’s broader ambition of training and empowering seven million Nigerian youths within two years, while creating a stronger link between skills development, entrepreneurship and access to capital.

Under the partnership, FMYD and NiYA will oversee participant sourcing, training and programme delivery, while Cascador will support eligibility criteria, investment-readiness preparation, pitch judging and funding.

Cascador CEO, Trish Thomas, said the partnership would create a practical bridge between the ideation stage and access to capital.

The company’s Chief Operating Officer and former Managing Director of the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator, Oyin Solebo, described the initiative as an innovative approach to supporting young entrepreneurs.

The pilot programme will be delivered physically in Abuja, complemented by virtual engagements and one-on-one mentorship sessions. All 20 successful participants will retain NiYA alumni status and receive priority consideration for relevant future opportunities.

Applications will open on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Interested young Nigerian entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit www.niya.gov.ng for eligibility requirements and application details.