The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has launched the second edition of the Abuja Young Entrepreneurs’ Fund Competition, opening applications to young innovators across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond, as part of efforts to deepen youth-driven enterprise development.
The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja, targets Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35 and builds on the outcomes recorded in its inaugural edition. It is positioned as a strategic intervention to tackle youth unemployment while supporting scalable business ideas in critical sectors.
Speaking at the launch, Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AEA, said the programme is designed to create a structured pathway for young entrepreneurs to translate innovation into viable ventures.
“This second edition is expected to be bigger, better, and more rewarding. The idea is to provide a structured platform for young people who are innovative and ready to build sustainable businesses, while also partnering with government efforts to deliver economic growth,” he said.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe noted that beyond infrastructure development, sustained investment in human capital remains critical to long-term economic stability. According to him, initiatives like the competition are essential to ensure that young Nigerians with skills and ideas are productively engaged.
“We also have responsibilities as citizens to encourage the government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people that they are meant for. And this is one of those kinds of things that the government is doing to make sure that young people don’t continue roaming the streets after school, where they have talent, skills, and abundance that continues to wait for tapping,” he added.
He further acknowledged the role of the Abuja Investment leadership in driving innovation-focused programmes within the FCT ecosystem.
The 2026 edition of the competition will prioritise three sectors considered critical to economic growth and job creation: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, and the creative industry, with a specific focus on fashion.
Also speaking, Maureen Tamuno, Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), represented by Abiodun Akanbi, described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in the FCT’s economic future.
“This programme is a partnership between Abuja Investment Company Limited and Abuja Enterprise Agency. It is an intentional investment for the future, which aims to give young entrepreneurs more authority, create new ideas, and create jobs in the FCT,” she said.
She stressed that while young people possess creativity and resilience, structured support systems are required to convert raw talent into successful enterprises.
“Therefore, this programme serves as an enabler for the youth to turn their ideas into business. This programme, Talent Hunt, will give participants access to mentorship and training, tailored to help improve their business skills. They will also be able to pitch their ideas to investors, and the general public. This, we believe, is how ecosystems are built,” Tamuno added.
Akanbi also pointed to measurable improvements in the FCT’s business climate, noting that the territory has moved from 31st to 4th position in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) ease of doing business ranking, an indication of ongoing regulatory and investment climate reforms.
She added that AICL is strengthening investment aftercare frameworks in collaboration with relevant agencies, to ensure that emerging businesses receive sustained support beyond initial funding and incubation stages.
Organisers emphasised that the competition will be conducted with a strong focus on transparency, impact, and long-term value creation, encouraging eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity.
Applications opened at midnight via the official portal, www.ayehunt.com, and will remain accessible to interested participants. The programme is being promoted across digital platforms, as well as television and radio, to ensure broad reach among target beneficiaries within and outside the FCT.
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