If you're a young Nigerian with a half-built product and you live in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau or Taraba, this one is aimed at you. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), working with the Mastercard Foundation, has opened applications for Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme. The deadline listed is 18 November 2026, so you have roughly three weeks.
This is not a classroom scholarship. It's a training, incubation and venture-support programme for people building solutions. The facts below come from the programme listing we reviewed; always confirm them on the official application page before you submit.
What the programme is
YAI supports young Nigerian innovators who want to turn ideas into sustainable ventures that solve real problems in their communities. The 2026/2027 round covers innovators across seven states. The listed pathway runs from application and selection to a bootcamp, then incubation, then market access.
The listing categorises it as training, with an award type of grant. The award amount is not specified, so don't assume any particular sum of money. Language proficiency tests are not required, and no essay is listed as required.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisers | UNDP with the Mastercard Foundation |
| Who | Young Nigerians, 18 to 35 at time of application |
| Where you must live | Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau or Taraba |
| Deadline | 18 November 2026 |
| Award amount | Not specified |
| Essay | Not required |
Who is eligible
You need to meet all four conditions:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old when you apply.
- Reside in one of the seven eligible states. Living there is the test, not where your family is from.
- Have an idea that addresses a real problem, and have already started developing it into something people can use.
- Be willing to develop and improve it into a sustainable venture.
The third point matters most. "Started developing" suggests a bare idea on paper may be weak. A prototype, a pilot with a few users, a working service or early sales would all show you've moved beyond thinking.
What selected innovators may receive
- Innovation bootcamps: training on your idea, business model and pitch.
- Incubation support: practical help to develop and test your solution.
- Mentorship: guidance from experienced professionals and industry experts.
- Product development: help refining prototypes.
- Business development: training to build a viable venture.
- Market access: chances to connect with customers, investors and strategic partners.
- Funding pathways: exposure to potential grants and financing.
Note the wording: "may receive" and "exposure to potential" funding. Treat this as a programme that builds your venture and opens doors, not as guaranteed cash.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your state first. If you live outside the seven states, don't apply. Moving temporarily to qualify is not what the rule means, and false residence details can disqualify you.
- Confirm your age. Be sure you are 18 to 35 on the day you apply.
- Write down your problem in one sentence. Example: "Smallholder tomato farmers in my area lose a large share of harvest because they can't store it." Name who has the problem and how you know.
- Collect proof of progress. Photos of a prototype, a screenshot of a working app, a list of customers or testers, a simple record of sales.
- Open the application through the official programme page and fill every field. Do it on a day with stable power, and save your answers in a notes app first so a network drop doesn't wipe them.
- Submit at least two days early. Deadline-day traffic is where forms fail.
A hypothetical example of a strong entry
Imagine Amina, 27, in Katsina. She has been selling a basic solar-powered phone charging and cold-storage service to market traders for four months. She has 12 repeat customers and keeps a notebook of daily income. In her application she states the problem, shows her notebook and photos, and explains what she'd improve with mentorship: pricing, a sturdier unit, and a way to reach more markets.
Compare that with an applicant who writes "I want to solve unemployment with technology." Amina shows a real problem, early use and a clear need for help. That's the kind of evidence the eligibility rules point to. This is an invented illustration, not a description of any real applicant.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying with only an idea. Show something people can already use, even if it's rough.
- Being too broad. "Fix healthcare in Nigeria" is weaker than "reduce missed antenatal visits in two local government areas."
- Ignoring the state rule. It's a hard requirement.
- Paying anyone. We saw nothing in the listing about application fees. If someone asks you to pay for "guaranteed selection", walk away and read our guide on fake scholarship agents and paid-for-award scams.
- Waiting for the last day. Slow sites and power cuts are predictable.
If you're not eligible
If you live in another state or you're outside the age range, this round isn't for you. Look at other options instead: our list of scholarship deadlines closing soon covers more opportunities, and the Ajimobi Foundation scholarship is for Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a scholarship for school fees?
No. It's a training and venture-support programme for innovators, even though it appears on scholarship websites.
How much money will I get?
The award amount is not specified in the listing. Funding is described as potential grants and financing opportunities.
Do I need an English test or an essay?
The listing says language proficiency is not required and no essay is required. The application form itself may still ask you to describe your idea, so check it.
Can I apply from outside the seven states?
No. Applicants must reside in one of the seven listed states.
Your next step
Today, write your one-sentence problem statement and gather three pieces of proof that your idea already works. Then open the official application page and start the form well before 18 November 2026.
Sources
Details checked against the official sources above on 28 October 2026. Things change, so confirm on the official site before you act.
Scholarship details, deadlines and eligibility can change. Always confirm on the official website before applying, and never pay anyone who promises to "guarantee" a scholarship.