Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The SMEDAN BRYNE programme is set to support more than 100,000 young Nigerians annually as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) unveils a new initiative designed to help youths establish, grow and sustain successful businesses.
SMEDAN launched the Building Resilient Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs (BRYNE) Project on Friday as part of activities marking International Youth Day 2026, with the programme focusing on entrepreneurship development, business incubation, mentorship, funding and market access.
Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, says the initiative is designed to bridge critical gaps faced by young entrepreneurs at different stages of business development.
He explains that the programme combines physical engagement with digital platforms to ensure aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners can access practical support needed to build sustainable enterprises.
Head of SMEDAN’s Women and Youth Unit, Bimpe Fawale, says BRYNE will operate through four key channels targeting young people in local communities, tertiary institutions and digital spaces.
Under the SMEDAN Incubation Programme, about 600 entrepreneurs will receive annual support in sectors including agriculture, fashion and woodworking through the agency’s Industrial Development Centres nationwide.
The Campus Enterprise Engagement Platform, developed in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, will deliver entrepreneurship workshops, business advisory services, networking opportunities and exhibitions for student-owned businesses across tertiary institutions.
Another component, BRYNE Digital Connect, will provide online entrepreneurship training while connecting youth-led enterprises to wider digital markets and business networks.
The programme will also feature a weekly startup hackathon expected to attract about 5,000 entrepreneurs, with 52 winners receiving ₦250,000 each in seed funding.
About the Author
Abah Felicity 
Mirian Gom 
Oluwatobi Adu