A total of 2,659 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) across Nigeria have been selected to advance to the final stage of the NNPC Foundation Business Pitching Exercise.
This initiative, scheduled to take place from July 2 to 10, 2024, is a crucial component of the NNPC Foundation’s Financial Literacy program for Nigerian youth. Over 284,000 corps members participated in extensive training and evaluations leading up to this phase, as highlighted in a statement by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd.
“The selection criteria for the final phase will emphasize the feasibility and sustainability of business ideas, market relevance, competitive advantage, innovation, scalability, potential community impact, and entrepreneurial spirit,” remarked Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation.
“We have identified these 2,659 individuals who are ready to present their business ideas to a distinguished panel of assessors,” Arukwe affirmed.
She further underscored that the Financial Literacy Programme aligns with the NNPC Foundation’s mission to equip young Nigerian graduates with essential skills for personal and professional growth. “Through education in financial management and entrepreneurship, our goal is to empower corps members towards economic self-sufficiency and positive societal contributions,” Arukwe added.
During the pitching exercise, standout projects will be eligible for startup packages, business advisory services, and opportunities for expansion. Additionally, in a supportive move, the NNPC Foundation has successfully negotiated a 50% reduction in registration fees with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for corps members establishing businesses.
The NNPC Foundation, as the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of NNPC Limited, focuses on enhancing Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape through targeted interventions in education, health, environmental sustainability, energy access, and youth empowerment. These efforts are aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, fostering economic empowerment, and supporting sustainable development nationwide.
