A new partnership between Cascador and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development will help young Nigerian entrepreneurs turn their ideas into investable businesses, with a pilot cohort of 20 founders set to receive training and a chance at non-dilutive funding.
Cascador, a platform focused on growth-stage Nigerian founders, has entered a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) to launch a programme aimed at strengthening youth-led businesses.
The NiYA × Cascador Founders Program will start with a pilot cohort of 20 early-stage Nigerian founders. At the end of the programme, eight participants will receive up to ₦5 million ($3,600) each in non-dilutive funding. Applications open on August 19, and interested entrepreneurs can apply on the NiYA website.
The initiative adds to the Nigerian government’s ongoing support for young entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses. In November 2025, the government’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme invested in Ventures Platform’s $64 million first close of its Pan-African fund II.
According to Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, the partnership is designed to move young people beyond training alone. “For NiYA, training is only one part of the journey. The real value is in helping young people move from learning to enterprise, from ideas to investable businesses, and from potential to sustainable economic participation. The partnership with Cascador strengthens that pathway by combining business preparation with access to capital, particularly for young founders who may not yet have the formal structures or financial history that traditional funding often requires,” he said.
The four-week programme will cover business fundamentals, investment readiness, and pitch preparation. It will be delivered in person in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, with virtual touchpoints and one-on-one mentorship.
Upon completion, the eight top-performing founders will receive an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to help organise and manage their businesses, in addition to the funding, at a pitch day organised by NiYA and FMYD. The funding is non-dilutive, meaning founders will not have to give up equity.
Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador, praised the ministry’s commitment. “NiYA and FMYD have already shown what real commitment to Nigeria’s youth looks like: the platforms, the reach, the ambition to train millions. What we’re building together now is the missing piece, a practical bridge from the ideation stage to real capital-readiness. When a Ministry so dedicated to its young people asked Cascador to help build that bridge, it was an easy decision,” Thomas said.
During the programme, NiYA and FMYD will handle founder sourcing, training, and day-to-day delivery. Cascador will help define eligibility criteria, support investment-readiness training, judge the founders’ pitches, and provide the funding for top performers.
The pilot is part of NiYA’s ambition to train and empower seven million Nigerian youth within two years. All 20 founders who complete the programme will retain NiYA alumni status and receive priority consideration for future opportunities.
The programme builds on Cascador’s existing work supporting Nigerian founders, including the Cascador ScaleUp programme for growth-stage entrepreneurs focused on leadership and strategy. ScaleUp alumni gain access to the Cascador Catalytic Fund, which the company said deploys up to $5 million annually through a combination of debt and equity investments.
Since 2019, Cascador said it has supported 70 companies that have collectively raised more than $125 million.
The programme represents the latest step in a broader push to connect Nigerian youth with capital and practical business support.
