The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) is inviting applications for the 7th Cycle of its flagship Entrepreneurship Training Program, aimed at equipping young Nigerian entrepreneurs with essential business skills and providing financial support to grow their ventures.
The DBN Entrepreneurship Training offers free online business training alongside grant funding ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1 million for selected businesses to strengthen and expand their operations.
Program Summary
- Host: Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN)
- Category: Training | Fellowships
- Eligible Country: Nigeria
- Reward: Full Sponsorship | Business Grants
- Deadline: Not Specified
Program Details
Applications are now open for qualified individuals to participate in the 7th edition of the DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme.
The Development Bank of Nigeria, established by the Federal Government, is a development finance institution dedicated to easing financial barriers faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. The bank provides financial services, partial credit guarantees, and technical assistance to MSMEs. Unlike commercial lenders, DBN channels its loans through intermediary financial institutions rather than direct cash disbursement to borrowers.
The programme targets Nigerian MSMEs from all sectors who are eager to gain the practical knowledge and strategies necessary for running successful businesses in Nigeria’s challenging environment.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Development Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Training Program, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Nigerian citizen or legal resident
- Own a business that is registered and operates in Nigeria (registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission – CAC)
- Run a for-profit business in any industry sector
- Be willing and able to commit fully to the training schedule if selected
Program Benefits
Businesses selected for the programme may receive grant funding between ₦500,000 and ₦1 million each.
Additionally, DBN will invite top-performing businesses to participate in an in-person training session. This physical training will offer entrepreneurs hands-on guidance to apply business principles to their operations, engage in tailored discussions, and access targeted support for specific business challenges.
All participants will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas, and some will be awarded grant funding based on the quality and viability of their proposals.
Objectives
The annual DBN Entrepreneurship Training Program aims to:
- Equip MSMEs with skills and confidence to present strong and viable business proposals
- Enhance MSMEs’ capacity to secure financing from available credit sources
- Boost MSMEs’ ability to manage funds effectively, engage in trade and investments, and access broader markets
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on:
- Bankability: Preparedness to access credit and finance
- Feasibility and Sustainability: Strength and long-term viability of the business model
- Scalability: Potential of the business to expand and generate employment opportunities
Required Training Courses
All applicants must complete four mandatory courses via the DBN BizAid Learning Management Platform and achieve an average score of at least 70% across all quizzes. The required courses are:
- Accounting & Bookkeeping
- Sustainability for MSMEs
- Marketing and Sales Techniques
- Credit Management / Access to Finance
How To Apply
To apply for the DBN Entrepreneurship Training Program 2026:
- Register your business on the DBN BizAid application platform
- Complete the four mandatory BizAid courses by the specified deadline
- Eligible businesses will receive an email containing a link to apply for the face-to-face training
- After submitting the application, an email confirmation will be sent within 24 hours
- Applications will be screened and shortlisted based on the programme’s eligibility criteria
- Selection will be made using the established criteria from the pool of qualified applicants
- Successful applicants will be contacted by email and phone using the details provided in their applications
- Training sessions will be held in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt on dates to be announced
To start the training, simply register through HERE
To receive more scholarship updates, click HERE
To join the EDUSPUR WhatsApp Channel, click HERE
