Nigeria Launches NiYA × Cascador Program to Connect Young Founders with Training, Mentorship and Capital
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) has partnered with Nigeria-focused entrepreneurship platform Cascador to launch the NiYA × Cascador Founders Program, a new initiative designed to connect young founders with business training, mentorship and early-stage capital.
Announced on International Youth Day 2026, the program will operate through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA). The pilot is designed to address a common challenge for aspiring entrepreneurs: moving from an early business idea to a venture capable of attracting and deploying capital.
The initiative also forms part of NiYA’s broader plan to train and empower seven million young Nigerians over two years, creating a pathway from skills development to entrepreneurship and economic participation.
From Business Training to Capital
The first cohort will include 20 early-stage Nigerian founders, including entrepreneurs who may not yet have formal business registration or an established financial track record.
Participants will complete an intensive four-week program covering business fundamentals, investment readiness and pitch development. The program will combine in-person sessions in Abuja with virtual engagement and one-on-one mentorship.
FMYD and NiYA will oversee founder sourcing, training and day-to-day program operations, while Cascador will help establish eligibility requirements, prepare participants for investment and evaluate their final pitches.
The program will culminate in a Pitch Day, where eight top-performing founders will be selected for additional support.
Each selected entrepreneur will be eligible to receive up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding from Cascador, allowing founders to secure early capital without giving up equity. Winners will also receive an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution intended to help them organize and scale their operations.
Expanding Access for Early-Stage Founders
Youth Development Minister Comrade Ayodele Olawande said the partnership is designed to move young Nigerians beyond skills acquisition and toward building sustainable businesses.
He said combining business preparation with direct access to capital could particularly benefit entrepreneurs who lack formal structures, established financial histories or access to traditional business networks.
Cascador CEO Trish Thomas described the initiative as a practical pathway connecting entrepreneurs at the ideation stage with the preparation required to become ready for capital.
COO Oyin Solebo said the collaboration demonstrates how government and private-sector organizations can combine their respective capabilities to widen access to entrepreneurial opportunities.
The structure gives FMYD and NiYA responsibility for their extensive youth network and training infrastructure, while Cascador contributes its experience working with founders and deploying capital.
Building a Scalable Entrepreneurship Model
Beyond the initial cohort, FMYD sees the program as a test for a model that could eventually reach a larger pool of young Nigerian entrepreneurs.
The pilot will assess how structured training, mentorship and non-dilutive financing can work together to identify promising founders and help them establish more sustainable businesses.
All 20 participants who complete the program will receive NiYA alumni status, regardless of whether they secure funding at the final Pitch Day. Alumni will also receive priority consideration for future opportunities through the academy, extending support beyond the initial four-week program.
By combining public-sector reach with private-sector founder support and capital, FMYD and Cascador are seeking to establish a repeatable pathway for young entrepreneurs who might otherwise struggle to move from an early idea to a structured business.
