The Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in collaboration with the Nigeria-focused platform Cascador, has announced a landmark partnership to bolster youth entrepreneurship. Unveiled on International Youth Day 2026, the initiative aims to fund and mentor early-stage founders through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA). This collaboration introduces the NiYA × Cascador Founders Program, a pilot designed to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and access to crucial capital.
A Strategic Alliance for Youth Empowerment
This strategic alliance leverages the extensive reach of the FMYD and NiYA within Nigeria's youth ecosystem, combining it with Cascador's expertise in preparing founders for investment. The program is a key component of NiYA's ambitious plan to train and empower seven million young people over two years. It aims to create a direct pathway from skill acquisition to sustainable economic participation for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Under the partnership, NiYA and the FMYD will manage the sourcing, training, and daily operations of the program. Cascador will contribute by defining eligibility criteria, supporting the cohort's investment readiness, and judging the final pitches. Ultimately, Cascador will provide the non-dilutive funding for the program’s most promising participants, ensuring a seamless transition to financial empowerment.
The NiYA × Cascador Founders Program
The pilot program will commence with a cohort of 20 early-stage Nigerian founders, many of whom lack formal business registration or a financial track record. Participants will undergo an intensive four-week curriculum focused on developing business fundamentals, achieving investment readiness, and perfecting their pitch presentations. This hands-on training is tailored to equip them with essential skills to navigate the competitive startup landscape.
At the program's conclusion, a Pitch Day will be organized where the eight top-performing founders will be selected for significant support. Each winner will be awarded up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding from Cascador, providing critical seed capital without sacrificing equity. They will also receive an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to help structure, manage, and scale their business operations.
Fostering an Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Comrade Ayodele Olawande, the Minister for Youth Development, emphasized that the initiative's value lies in moving youth from learning to enterprise. He stated the partnership strengthens this pathway by combining business preparation with capital access for founders who may lack formal structures. The goal is to make opportunity less dependent on background or existing networks, fostering a more equitable environment.
Cascador's leadership echoed this sentiment, with CEO Trish Thomas calling it a "practical bridge from the ideation stage to real capital-readiness." COO Oyin Solebo described the collaboration as an example of innovative capital deployment where government and private partners create opportunities together. This joint effort is designed to open doors that neither organization could open alone, amplifying their collective impact.
A Scalable Model for Future Growth
The Minister further explained that the pilot is deliberately designed to test a model that can be expanded beyond a single cohort. The larger objective is to build a robust youth entrepreneurship ecosystem where readiness, ideas, and execution determine who gets the chance to grow. This approach aims to create a sustainable and scalable framework for identifying and nurturing talent across the country.
The inaugural program will be conducted in-person in Abuja, supplemented with virtual touchpoints and one-on-one mentorship for comprehensive support. All 20 graduates will gain NiYA alumni status, granting them priority consideration for future opportunities and integrating them into a growing network. This ensures every participant benefits from the program, regardless of whether they receive the final funding prize.
This partnership between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Cascador marks a significant investment in Nigeria's future economic landscape. By providing targeted training, mentorship, and crucial non-dilutive funding, the program addresses key barriers faced by young entrepreneurs. The initiative stands as a promising model for public-private collaboration, poised to unlock the potential of Nigerian youth and cultivate new business leaders.