SMEDAN don come out with new programme wey go support more than 100,000 young entrepreneurs for Nigeria every year. The agency, wey be Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, announce am as part of International Youth Day 2026 celebration.
Di Director-General, Charles Odii, drop di news for statement on Friday. E say di initiative, wey dem call Building Resilient Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs, or BRYNE for short, go provide practical pathways for young Nigerians at different stages of entrepreneurs.
According to Mr Odii, BRYNE go combine enterprise training, incubation, mentorship, access to finance, market opportunities and business development support. E talk say, “The BRYNE brings several opportunities together, from training and incubation to finance, markets and mentorship. The initiative will give more young Nigerians opportunities to build sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs.”
Di head of SMEDAN women and youth unit, Bimpe Fawale, explain say BRYNE go work through four major channels. Dem go reach young entrepreneurs through communities, tertiary institutions and digital platforms.
Ms Fawale talk say di SMEDAN Incubation Programme go support 600 young entrepreneurs every year for fashion, woodwork, agriculture and other sectors. She also mention say di Campus Enterprise Engagement Platform go provide practical business workshops, advisory sessions, networking and exhibitions for student-owned businesses.
She explain say di programme dey target up to 3,000 participants for each tertiary institution wey join. BRYNE Digital Connect go give entrepreneurship education, promote innovation and business growth, and connect youth-led businesses to bigger markets.
Ms Fawale add say weekly startup hackathon go provide business education and enterprise opportunities for 5,000 young entrepreneurs. She further talk say 52 winners wey dem select go receive N250,000 each as seed funding, with one winner wey dem select every week.
