Union Bank of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment through its Alpher initiative by sponsoring the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Centre (WYEDC) Cohort 2 Programme. The programme successfully graduated 125 entrepreneurs who benefited from hands-on entrepreneurship training and business grants.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria account for more than 50% of industrial employment and contribute approximately 48% to the country’s GDP. This underscores the critical role of entrepreneurship as one of the building blocks of the economy and reflects Union Bank’s unwavering dedication to national development in partnership with NBCC.
In her welcome address, the Director General of NBCC, Dr. Ebere Njoku, reaffirmed NBCC’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and youth development—identifying these areas as catalysts for economic growth and sustainability. She expressed appreciation to the sponsors, partners, and facilitators who devoted their time and resources to upskilling the participants.
The entrepreneurship initiative was inspired by the visionary goal of Mr. Ray Atelly, President and Chairman of the Council of NBCC, FRPA, to provide entrepreneurship and grant opportunities to Nigerian women and youth.
In his speech to the graduates, Mr. Atelly stated:
“This is your chance—make sure you take it. Don’t let any obstacle stop you, because there will be many. If you let it stop you, your dreams are not strong enough. You need to keep pushing. Someday, you will sit at the top of a conglomerate, and people will aspire to be like you.”
Also in attendance was NBCC Patron, Senator Akin Odunsi, FRPA, who congratulated the Cohort 2 graduates.
He remarked:
“I encourage all of you not to take the training you have received for granted. Use it as a landmark opportunity to become a beacon of hope to others who look up to you.”
He further urged the Chamber to provide internship opportunities in organisations following the six-month entrepreneurship training for incoming Cohort 3 participants and beyond. He added that such internship experiences would allow trainees to apply what they’ve learned while enabling participating organisations to benefit from their acquired skills.
The goodwill message at the graduation ceremony was delivered on behalf of Mrs. Yetunde Oni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria, by Mrs. Vivian Imoh-Ita, the Bank’s Head of Retail and SME Business. She commended NBCC for delivering life-transforming training to youth and women entrepreneurs.
She stated:
“As a bank, we understand that when we invest in women and youth entrepreneurs, we are investing in the most powerful catalysts of economic transformation. Through the Bank’s Alpher initiative, we have enabled success for women-led businesses. In a volatile economy like Nigeria, the challenges facing entrepreneurs are dynamic and significant. As a bank, we intend to prove that these barriers are not unconquerable—they are growth opportunities.”
Three entrepreneurs—Evelyn Ekene Ani of Evani.Ng (First place), Martha Padonu of Beyond Photography (Second place), and Therietta Vershima of La Teriz (Third place)—emerged as winners of the Union Bank Business Pitch Competition held during the graduation ceremony and were rewarded with funding for their businesses.
Union Bank’s sponsorship of the training reinforces its commitment to fostering a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women and aspiring entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
