July 10, 2025 – The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has officially announced the opening of applications for its highly anticipated 2025 Entrepreneurship Training Programme (DBNETP). Now in its 7th successful cycle, this flagship initiative reiterates DBN’s unwavering commitment to fostering a robust and skilled entrepreneurial ecosystem across Nigeria.
Capacity building remains a core mandate of the DBN, which has, to date, digitally and physically trained over 4,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide. Leveraging strategic partnerships and its innovative DBN Learning Management System (LMS), the Bank continues to empower a new generation of business leaders.
The annual DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme is strategically designed with clear objectives:
- Enhancing Business Acumen: To equip MSMEs with the essential skills and competencies required to develop and defend sound and viable business proposals, thereby increasing their chances of success.
- Improving Access to Credit: To bolster the capacity of MSMEs to effectively access available credit facilities, a crucial step in scaling their operations and contributing to economic growth.
- Optimizing Business Operations: To improve MSMEs’ capabilities for efficient fund utilization, effective trade practices, strategic investments, and expanded access to vital markets.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to all Nigerian MSMEs, irrespective of their sector, who are keen on acquiring the comprehensive knowledge needed to thrive in Nigeria’s dynamic business environment.
Blended Learning for Maximum Impact:
The 2025 DBNETP adopts a flexible and impactful blended learning format, combining virtual and physical training components:
- Virtual Training: Participants will embark on a self-paced, nine-module comprehensive curriculum covering fundamental business principles. This virtual component is delivered seamlessly through the DBN’s dedicated learning management platform, the BizAid App. The BizAid App offers enhanced features, a loan calculator, accounting and expense tracker, and a community hub for MSME collaboration.
- Onsite Training: A rigorous selection process will identify 300 promising businesses for an intensive five-day practical training. These hands-on sessions, with curricula tailored to the specific needs of the shortlisted businesses, will be conducted in key economic hubs: Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
Opportunity for Grant Funding:
A significant incentive for participants is the pitching session, where all businesses will have the chance to present their unique value propositions. A select number of these businesses will then be chosen to receive crucial grant funding, ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1,000,000, to help actualize their entrepreneurial visions.
Eligibility and Selection at a Glance:
To be considered for the coveted onsite training, applicants must meet the following minimum criteria: be 18 years or older, a Nigerian citizen or legal resident, own a for-profit business based in Nigeria from any sector, and commit fully to the training schedule if accepted.
Selection will be based on:
- Bankability: The business’s readiness to access credit.
- Feasibility and Sustainability: The viability and long-term potential of the business model.
- Scalability: The demonstrated potential for growth and job creation.
Application Workflow – A Step-by-Step Guide:
Interested entrepreneurs must first register on the DBN learning management system via the BizAid application. A crucial initial step involves completing a minimum of four mandatory courses on the BizAid platform: Accounting & Bookkeeping, Sustainability for MSMEs, Marketing and Sales Techniques, and Credit Management/Access to Finance. Applicants must achieve an average score of 80% across all quizzes in these courses.
Upon successful completion of these mandatory courses and achieving the required pass mark, eligible businesses will receive an email with a link to apply for the face-to-face training. Following application submission, a confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours. A rigorous screening process based on eligibility criteria will lead to shortlisting, followed by final selection based on the defined selection criteria. Successful applicants will be notified via email and phone call.
Training dates for Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt will be announced, with sessions commencing consecutively.
The DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme has a proven track record of nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering sustainable businesses. It serves as a testament to the DBN’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth and driving economic prosperity through MSME development.
For more information and to begin your application, visit the Official Website of the DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme.
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