NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026: Apply for Up to ₦5 Million Funding
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- Category: Grants
- Published on Wednesday, 19 August 2026 11:04
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Young Nigerian entrepreneurs looking for business funding, mentorship and practical support to grow their companies have a new opportunity to explore through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) × Cascador Founders Programme 2026.
The initiative is a partnership between the Nigerian Youth Academy under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Cascador, a platform focused on supporting founders and growing businesses.
The programme is designed to help early-stage Nigerian founders strengthen their businesses, improve their investment readiness and build the skills needed to attract capital.
Most importantly, selected top-performing founders could receive up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding from Cascador. This means recipients will not be required to give away equity in their businesses in exchange for the funding.
NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026 at a Glance
| Programme | NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026 |
|---|---|
| Organisers | Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) and Cascador |
| Target group | Young Nigerian entrepreneurs and early-stage founders |
| Funding | Up to ₦5 million |
| Funding type | Non-dilutive funding |
| Training | Four-week intensive programme |
| Support | Business development, mentorship and pitch preparation |
| Application opens | 19 August 2026 |
| Application deadline | Not officially announced at the time of publication |
| Location | Nigeria / online programme activities |
| Application portal | Official Nigerian Youth Academy platform |
What Is the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme?
The NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme is a new entrepreneurship support initiative created to help promising young Nigerian business owners move from simply running a business to building an investment-ready company.
Many small businesses and startups struggle to access finance because they lack strong financial records, investor networks, business systems or the experience required to present their businesses to potential funders.
The programme is intended to help address some of these challenges by combining business development training, investment readiness, mentorship and access to capital.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development says the partnership is intended to create a stronger connection between youth training and actual business opportunities and financing.
How Much Funding Is Available?
One of the major attractions of the programme is the opportunity to receive up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding.
However, applicants should understand that this is not a guaranteed ₦5 million grant for everyone who applies.
According to available programme information, founders will take part in the programme and the top-performing participants will be considered for funding of up to ₦5 million each.
What Does Non-Dilutive Funding Mean?
Non-dilutive funding is money provided to a business without requiring the founder to surrender ownership or shares in the company.
In simple terms, an entrepreneur receiving non-dilutive funding does not have to give the funder a percentage of the business simply because they received the funding.
This makes non-dilutive funding particularly attractive to startups and small businesses that want to raise capital while retaining ownership.
What Does the Programme Offer?
Successful applicants can expect more than just a funding opportunity.
The programme is designed around practical business development and investment preparation.
Key areas of support include:
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Business fundamentals
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Investment readiness
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Pitch preparation
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One-on-one mentorship
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Business growth support
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Guidance from experienced professionals
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Opportunities to strengthen business operations
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Access to potential funding
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) support for beneficiaries
The programme is expected to run as an intensive four-week programme, after which top-performing founders will have an opportunity to compete for the available non-dilutive funding.
Who Can Apply for the NiYA × Cascador Programme?
The opportunity is targeted at young Nigerian entrepreneurs and early-stage founders who are building businesses and want to improve their ability to grow and attract investment.
Potential applicants should be prepared to provide accurate information about their business and demonstrate why their company has the potential to grow.
Because the official application portal is expected to provide the final eligibility requirements when applications open, applicants should carefully check the requirements before submitting an application.
Applicants Should Be Ready to Explain:
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What their business does
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The problem their business solves
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Who their customers are
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How the business makes money
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Current business activities
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Growth potential
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How additional funding could support expansion
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Why they and their business are suitable for the programme
When Will Applications Open?
Applications for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026 are scheduled to open on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
The Nigerian Youth Academy has confirmed the 19 August opening date and directed interested young Nigerian entrepreneurs to its official platform for the application information.
Application Opening Date
19 August 2026
Application Closing Date
Not officially announced yet.
Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute. Once the application portal becomes available, entrepreneurs should check the official guidelines for the closing date and submit their applications as early as possible.
How to Apply for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026
Interested entrepreneurs should apply through the official Nigerian Youth Academy platform.
Application Steps
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Visit the official Nigerian Youth Academy website.
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Look for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme announcement.
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Read the eligibility requirements carefully.
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Access the official application form when the portal opens.
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Provide accurate personal and business information.
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Complete all required sections of the application.
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Review your answers before submitting.
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Submit the application before the official deadline.
Official Registration / Application Link
Apply through the official Nigerian Youth Academy website:
https://niya.gov.ng/
The programme's official announcement states that applications will open on 19 August 2026.
Important: Avoid paying anyone who claims they can guarantee selection or secure the ₦5 million funding for you. Applicants should use only official application channels.
What Should Entrepreneurs Prepare Before Applying?
Since applications open on 19 August, business owners can use the time before the portal opens to prepare.
You may want to have the following information available:
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Business name
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Business description
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Founder information
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Business registration details, where applicable
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Description of your products or services
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Target customers
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Revenue or sales information, where requested
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Business growth plans
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Current business challenges
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Funding needs
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How you intend to use additional capital
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A clear explanation of why your business can scale
If the application includes a pitch or business plan section, keep your answers clear and practical.
Avoid using complicated business language simply to sound professional. Explain the business problem, your solution, customers and growth opportunity in a way that is easy to understand.
Why This Programme Matters for Nigerian Entrepreneurs
Access to affordable business finance remains a major challenge for many entrepreneurs.
A business owner may have a good product and customers but still struggle to expand because of limited working capital, inadequate business systems, lack of professional networks or difficulty attracting investors.
The NiYA × Cascador programme takes a slightly different approach by combining capacity building with potential access to funding.
Instead of focusing only on giving entrepreneurs money, the programme is designed to help founders become more prepared to manage and grow a business.
This can be particularly useful for early-stage entrepreneurs who are not yet ready for traditional investment.
What Makes the ₦5 Million Funding Different?
The funding opportunity is particularly attractive because it is described as non-dilutive.
Traditional equity investment usually involves an investor providing capital in exchange for an ownership stake in a business.
Non-dilutive funding works differently.
For successful founders under this programme, the funding opportunity is designed so that they do not have to surrender equity simply because they receive the funding.
However, entrepreneurs should still read the official programme terms carefully before accepting any funding.
Is the ₦5 Million Guaranteed?
No.
This is one of the most important points applicants should understand.
The programme does not mean that every person who applies will receive ₦5 million.
Instead, selected entrepreneurs will participate in the programme, and the top-performing founders will be considered for non-dilutive funding of up to ₦5 million each.
Therefore, applicants should view the opportunity as a combination of:
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Business development training
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Mentorship
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Investment preparation
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Networking
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Pitch preparation
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Potential access to non-dilutive funding
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NiYA × Cascador Programme a loan?
No. The programme is presented as an entrepreneurship development initiative with an opportunity for selected top-performing founders to receive non-dilutive funding.
It should therefore not be confused with a conventional bank loan.
Do I have to repay the ₦5 million?
The available information describes the funding as non-dilutive, rather than a loan. This means recipients are not expected to give up equity in exchange for the funding.
Applicants should nevertheless check the official terms and conditions once the application portal opens.
Will every applicant receive ₦5 million?
No. The funding is intended for selected top-performing founders, and the maximum amount is up to ₦5 million per successful founder.
When does the application open?
Applications are scheduled to open on 19 August 2026.
When does the application close?
An official closing date has not yet been confirmed in the information currently available. Applicants should check the NiYA platform after the application portal opens.
Is the programme only for startups?
The initiative is aimed at young Nigerian entrepreneurs and early-stage founders. Applicants should check the official eligibility requirements to determine whether their particular business qualifies.
Where can I apply?
Applications should be made through the official Nigerian Youth Academy platform:
Conclusion
The NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026 could be a valuable opportunity for young Nigerian entrepreneurs who need more than just funding.
The combination of business development training, investment readiness, mentorship and potential access to up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding gives participating founders an opportunity to strengthen their businesses while preparing for future growth.
If you are an eligible young entrepreneur, use the period before 19 August 2026 to prepare your business information, understand your numbers and clearly explain what your business does and how additional funding could help it grow.
Remember that the ₦5 million is not guaranteed to every applicant. The funding is intended for top-performing founders selected through the programme.