NNPC announces business pitching exercise for NYSC members

By Opeyemi Abdulsalam

The NNPC Foundation has pre-qualified 2,659 National Youth Service Corps members across Nigeria for the final phase of its Business Pitching Exercise.

This is in line with a statement issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer

This exercise is part of the NNPC Foundation’s Financial Literacy program, which aims to empower Nigerian youths.

It said over 284,000 corps members participated in the program, undergoing rigorous training and assessments.

The final phase of the Business Pitching Exercise is scheduled to take place from July 2 to 10, 2024.

During this phase, the pre-qualified corps members will have the opportunity to showcase their business ideas and compete for funding.

The NNPC Foundation’s Financial Literacy program aims to equip Nigerian youths with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in business and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on the exercise, the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said the selection criteria would focus on the feasibility and sustainability of the business idea, market relevance, competitive edge and innovation, scalability, the potential impact on the community, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the corps members

“We have identified these 2,659 individuals who are ready to present their business ideas to a distinguished panel of assessors,” Arukwe stated.

Arukwe informed that the Financial Literacy Programme is aligned with the NNPC Foundation’s mission of equipping young Nigerian graduates with the necessary skills for personal and professional development.

“By educating corps members on financial management and entrepreneurship, the program aims to empower them to become economically self-sufficient and to contribute positively to society,” she added.

During the pitching exercise, projects that stand out will receive startup packs, business advisory services, and opportunities to scale their ventures.

In a related development, the management of the NNPC Foundation has facilitated a significant 50 per cent reduction in the registration fee for corps members’ businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The NNPC Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of NNPC Limited. Its initiatives focus on enhancing Nigeria’s socio-economic development through targeted interventions in education, health, the environment, access to energy and youth empowerment to foster economic empowerment, promote entrepreneurship, and support sustainable development across the nation.