In a significant boost for youth-led businesses, over one thousand young Nigerian entrepreneurs have been empowered with business grants totalling twenty-four million naira. The funding was distributed during the 2025 Young Ministers Retreat (YMR) organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), in a strategic partnership with Premium Trust Bank.
Structured Selection and Financial Empowerment
The grant programme, announced on January 9, 2026, was designed to tackle one of the most persistent hurdles for startups: access to capital. Individual grants were substantial, ranging from N500,000 to N2 million per beneficiary. According to the organisers, the selection process was multi-tiered to ensure fairness and transparency.
Applicants first submitted detailed business proposals which were rigorously assessed by a panel of industry experts. Candidates who pre-qualified then proceeded to a final raffle draw, a method implemented to eliminate bias and guarantee an impartial selection of the final beneficiaries.
Beyond Money: Mentorship and Strategic Support
Recognising that capital alone is not enough for sustainable growth, the programme included a robust support system. Alongside the financial injection, all grant recipients gained access to vital mentorship and business advisory services provided by Premium Trust Bank.
Shina Atilola, the Executive Director of Digital and E-Business at Premium Trust Bank, highlighted the initiative's goal. She stated that the grants are intended to help young business owners stabilise their operations, manage cash flow more effectively, and strategically position themselves for long-term expansion and sustainability.
One beneficiary, Mary Anu, who received the maximum grant of N2 million, expressed her delight. She confirmed that the funds would be a game-changer, enabling her to scale operations, upgrade equipment, and better compete in her market.
A Growing Platform for Youth Economic Inclusion
The Young Ministers Retreat, now in its ninth year, has evolved from a purely spiritual gathering into a major platform for youth empowerment. The 2025 edition attracted a staggering over 300,000 participants from across the globe, with a sharpened focus on entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and economic inclusion.
The collaboration with Premium Trust Bank underscores a shared commitment to addressing youth unemployment and strengthening the backbone of the Nigerian economy—the Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) sector. Organisers have already revealed plans to expand the grant programme in future editions to reach an even greater number of aspiring entrepreneurs.
This initiative reinforces the understanding that empowering the youth requires a holistic approach, combining not just education and skills training, but also direct access to funding and structured support systems to ensure business survival and growth.
