Union Bank of Nigeria, under its Made In Naija initiative, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting homegrown businesses by sponsoring the RISE Business Challenge at the University of Lagos, Akoka, during the 6th 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 the conference convener, Mr. Olusegun Odufuwa, aimed at empowering youth-led businesses through financial and mentorship support via a pitch competition.
Targeted at uplifting young men and women with essential entrepreneurial skills, the event aligns with one of the Bank’s core objectives: promoting Made In Naija and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian innovators and business leaders. The initiative ultimately seeks to drive positive social impact and sustainable economic growth.
The competition also aims to identify and reward outstanding business ideas that demonstrate viability, sustainability, and social impact.
This year’s RISE Challenge winners emerged after a rigorous selection process, which involved participants submitting their proposals to a team of judges and business experts for assessment. The final four selected competitors pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, who determined the winners based on criteria such as innovation, social impact, sustainability, and financial viability.
The first, second, and third-place winners received cash prizes of ₦1,000,000, ₦750,000, and ₦250,000, respectively.
Speaking at the event, Ayokunumi Abraham, Head of SME Banking at Union Bank of Nigeria, 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 upcoming enterprises but also create a ripple effect that drives employment, innovation, economic opportunity, and access for small and medium businesses across the country.”
The RISE Conference is a premier annual gathering designed to equip young leaders and entrepreneurs with the tools of resilience, innovation, and social responsibility needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world. This year’s edition attracted a diverse audience, including young professionals, entrepreneurs, business executives, policymakers, and thought leaders.
Union Bank reaffirmed its commitment to championing Made In Naija and supporting young innovators as part of its broader vision to foster economic growth and solidify its position as a leading bank for entrepreneurs.
