NiYA x Cascador Founders Programme 2026: Apply Now for Up to ₦5 Million in Non-Dilutive Funding for Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs

Quick Facts: Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) grant program via the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) | Up to ₦5 million per founder, non-dilutive | For Nigerian founders aged 18–35 | Application link: startup.niya.gov.ng/fmyd/grants | Deadline: 22 August 2026

If you are a young Nigerian entrepreneur with a registered business, a product already in the market, and a hunger for capital that won't cost you equity, the Federal Government just opened a door you should not ignore. The NiYA x Cascador Founders Programme is a new grant application portal from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD), delivered through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), in partnership with Cascador, a Nigeria-focused platform that backs growth-stage founders.

Here is everything you need to know: what it is, who qualifies, the documents to prepare, and how to apply before time runs out.

What Is the NiYA x Cascador Founders Programme?

The NiYA x Cascador Founders Programme is a pilot cohort designed to close the gap between youth entrepreneurship training and real access to capital. It was announced to mark International Youth Day 2026, under the theme "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations."

The programme will select 20 early-stage Nigerian youth founders, including many without formal business registration or a financial track record at the point of entry, and take them through an intensive 4-week curriculum covering:

-Business fundamentals

-Investment readiness

-Pitch preparation and mentorship

-At the end of the four weeks, participants present at a Pitch Day before a panel of judges. The 8 top-performing founders will each walk away with up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding from Cascador — meaning no equity is given up in exchange for the money — plus an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to help manage and scale the business going forward.

The total programme envelope is reported at ₦40,000,000, and it is officially tagged the NiYA Startup Pitch Fund (Reference: GAP0000003).

All 20 participants, whether or not they make the final 8, become NiYA alumni with priority consideration for future opportunities. The pilot runs primarily in Abuja, combined with virtual sessions and one-on-one mentorship.

Who Is This Grant For?

This opportunity is not open to everyone. Based on the official eligibility criteria published by FMYD and NiYA, you should apply if you meet all of the following:

-You've completed at least one course on the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) platform.

-Youth ownership: Your business is at least 51% owned by founder(s) aged 18–35.

-Youth leadership: At least one founder aged 18–35 works full-time in the business in a leadership role.

-Registered in Nigeria: Your business is registered and operating in Nigeria.

-Product/service already launched, with evidence that customers are actually using it — this is not for idea-stage businesses.

Operating for at least 6 months.

-Positive-impact sector: Your business creates economic or social value. Businesses in restricted industries (e.g. tobacco, gambling) are not eligible.

-Clear use of funds: You can show credibly how the funding will accelerate growth.

-Full availability: You can commit fully to the 4-week programme and the final pitch.

-State/location note: the programme is open nationwide to Nigerian-registered businesses, though the in-person component is centred in Abuja.

Documents You'll Need Before You Start

Have these ready so you don't lose time mid-application:

•Business Registration Certificate (CAC)

•Clear passport photograph with a white background

•National Identification Number (NIN) slip

•Pitch deck

•Certificate of Completion for a NiYA Academy course

If you haven't completed a NiYA course yet, that is your very first step — it's a stated eligibility requirement, not optional.

Deadline for Submission

Applications opened on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, and the portal closes on 22 August 2026. That is a short window, so if you're eligible, treat this as urgent and apply today rather than waiting.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should apply directly through the official portal:

👉 https://startup.niya.gov.ng/fmyd/grants

Make sure your CAC certificate, NIN slip, passport photo, pitch deck, and NiYA course certificate are ready to upload before you begin, so you can complete the form in one sitting.

Final Word

Non-dilutive funding opportunities like this — where you keep 100% of your business — are rare, especially at this scale for early-stage Nigerian founders. If you already have a registered business with real customers and you meet the age and ownership criteria, don't sit on this. With the window closing on 22 August 2026, apply now and prepare your documents immediately.

Stay with Ganarious Blog for more verified grant, fellowship, and opportunity alerts for Nigerian and African entrepreneurs.