Union Bank of Nigeria, through its Made In Naija initiative, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local businesses.
The bank sponsored the RISE Business Challenge at the University of Lagos during the sixth Annual Youth Leadership Conference.
Dubbed Turning Point 6.0, the Resilience, Innovation, Social Responsibility, and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Challenge is a collaboration between Union Bank and conference convenor Olusegun Odufuwa. The initiative aims to empower youth-led businesses with financial and mentorship support through a pitch competition.
Targeting young individuals with entrepreneurial skills, the event aligns with one of the Bank’s primary objectives: to encourage Made In Naija and nurture the next generation of Nigerian innovators and business leaders, ultimately driving positive social impact and sustainable economic growth.
The competition also seeks to identify and reward outstanding business ideas that demonstrate viability, sustainability, and social impact.
This year’s RISE Challenge winners were selected after a rigorous evaluation process. Participants submitted their proposals to a panel of judges and business experts, who assessed them. The final four competitors then individually pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, who selected the winners based on innovation, social impact, sustainability, and financial viability.
The first, second, and third places received cash prizes of N1 million, N750,000, and N250,000, respectively.
Head of SME at Union Bank of Nigeria, Ayokunumi Abraham stated, “Union Bank is passionate about supporting Made In Naija and youth-led businesses to scale for sustainable growth. We believe this will not only nurture emerging enterprises but also create a positive ripple effect that drives employment, innovation, economic opportunity, and access, empowering small and medium businesses across the country.”
The RISE conference is a premier annual event designed to equip young leaders and entrepreneurs with the resilience, innovation, and social responsibility needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world. This year’s edition attracted a diverse range of attendees, including young professionals, entrepreneurs, business executives, policymakers, and thought leaders.
Union Bank remains committed to promoting Made In Naija and supporting young innovators to drive economic growth while strengthening its position as a leading bank for entrepreneurs.
