The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is providing young Nigerians with access to free online courses, career opportunities, skills development and entrepreneurship support.
The initiative aims to equip young people with marketable skills, improve their employment prospects and help aspiring entrepreneurs develop sustainable businesses.
NiYA was launched in March 2025 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The platform was jointly developed and is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Sapphital Limited.
According to the academy’s official website, its programmes are designed for Nigerians aged 18 to 35 across the country’s states and local government areas.
What Opportunities Does NiYA Offer?
The Nigerian Youth Academy provides several opportunities for young people seeking to improve their skills, find jobs or establish businesses.
Its main areas of focus include online learning, employment, freelance work, entrepreneurship and professional development.
Through NiYA Academy, participants can access courses covering technical skills, business, finance, personal development, life skills and other areas relevant to employment and enterprise development.
The platform also provides access to learning resources and certificates of completion for participants who successfully complete eligible courses.
NiYA’s wider ecosystem includes a community where young people can connect with employers, explore job opportunities, access career guidance and showcase their skills.
Free Online Courses for Young Nigerians
One of NiYA’s key offerings is its free online learning platform, which is designed to help young Nigerians acquire practical knowledge and develop skills relevant to the modern economy.
The courses cover different areas, including technology, business, finance, employability and personal development.
According to the academy, participation is free, with the initiative supported by the Federal Government and its partners.
Young Nigerians interested in improving their employability or preparing to start a business can explore the available courses and select those relevant to their career goals.
To access the platform, visit the official website:
https://niya.gov.ng/
Can Young Entrepreneurs Get Grants Through NiYA?
NiYA also provides a platform through which young entrepreneurs can discover business grants, startup competitions, loans, mentorship and other forms of enterprise support.
The programme is intended to connect eligible founders with funding opportunities offered by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and participating partners.
However, aspiring beneficiaries should note that the availability of grants depends on individual application windows and eligibility requirements.
As at 19 October 2026, NiYA’s official grants portal states that there are no open grant opportunities. Young entrepreneurs can create applicant profiles and monitor the platform for future announcements.
The portal’s closed-call listings include the NiYA Startup Pitch 2.0, which offered a share of ₦150 million in funding, mentorship and enterprise support, and the NiYA-Cascador Founders Programme, which offered eight eligible founders the opportunity to receive up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding.
Both application windows have closed. Interested entrepreneurs should not treat these previous programmes as currently open for applications.
The official grants portal is available at:
https://startup.niya.gov.ng/fmyd/grants
How Young Nigerians Can Register
Young Nigerians interested in the academy’s opportunities can visit the official NiYA website to explore its courses, career services and entrepreneurship programmes.
Those interested in grants can visit the separate startup portal to create an applicant profile and check for future calls.
Applicants should read the eligibility criteria, application deadlines and conditions of each opportunity before submitting their details.
They should also ensure that they use official websites and verified communication channels when sharing personal information or applying for funding.
Why NiYA Matters to Nigerian Youths
With many young Nigerians seeking employment, practical skills and funding to establish businesses, access to reliable training and career resources remains important.
NiYA offers a central platform through which young people can explore learning opportunities, connect with potential employers and discover business support programmes.
However, completing a course does not automatically guarantee a job, while creating a grant profile does not guarantee funding. Each opportunity has its own selection process and requirements.
Young Nigerians are encouraged to use the platform to develop relevant skills, prepare for employment and monitor new opportunities that match their qualifications and business goals.
For the latest information, visit the official Nigerian Youth Academy website at https://niya.gov.ng/ and the NiYA grants portal at .
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