
The Central Bank of Nigeria, as part of its effort to boost economic growth and reduce unemployment among graduates of Nigeria Polytechnics and Universities, introduced the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme.
The Scheme is designed to create a paradigm shift among undergraduates and graduates from the pursuit of white collar jobs to a culture of entrepreneurship geared towards job creation, economic growth and sustainable development.
The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) therefore developed the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES), in partnership with the academia( Universities and Polytechnics) to unleash the potential of the Nigeria graduate entrepreneurs (gradpreneurs) by providing re-orientation, training and an innovative financing model that will enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem with transformational impact on the economy.
How it Works ? All You Need to Know
To properly understand CBNties, the below questions offers answers to how it works.
- The Term Loan Component is NOT a grant but a loan repayable over an agreed tenor for a specific purpose with clear terms and conditions.
- The Equity Investment Component shall be in the form of injection of fresh capital for start-ups, expansion of established businesses or reviving of ailing entrepreneurial businesses. The Component shall be implemented under the AGSMEIS Equity window.
- The Development Component of TIES is in form of grants to Nigerian Polytechnics and Universities after participating and coming top in a National biennial (ie. once in 2 years) entrepreneurship competition. The competition is aimed at raising awareness and visibility of highimpact entrepreneurial/technological ideas among undergraduates, promote entrepreneurial talent hunts in Nigerian polytechnics and universities, as well as encourage innovations that are commercially viable and with transformational impact.
The Scheme shall be implemented through three (3) components:
- Term Loan Component;
- Equity Investment Component;
- Developmental Component.
Activities covered under the Scheme shall include innovative start-ups and existing businesses owned by graduates of Nigerian polytechnics and universities in the following areas:
- Agribusiness – production, processing, storage and logistics;
- Information technology – application/software development, business process outsourcing, robotics, data management;
- Creative industry – entertainment, artwork, publishing, culinary/event management, fashion, photography, beauty/cosmetics;
- Science and technology – medical innovation, robotics, ticketing systems, traffic systems, renewable energy, waste management;
- Any other activity as may be determined by the CBN from time to time.
- Applicants under the Scheme shall be graduates of Nigerian Polytechnics and Universities:
- First degree certificate (BSc/HND/ or its equivalent);
- National Youth Service Certificate (NYSC) discharge or exemption certificate;
- Certificate of Participation issued by Polytechnics and Universities evidencing entrepreneurship training; and
- Not more than 7 years post-NYSC
The collateral acceptable under TIES are:
- The applicant’s first-degree certificate
- NYSC discharge or exemption certificate
- Duly signed Global Standing Instruction (GIS) by the applicant
- Third party guarantee from senior civil or public servant, clergy of repute, lawyer, accountant, banker, medical doctor, etc.
*1-3 will be registered on the National Collateral Registry (NCR)
*1-4 shall be uploaded in the TIES portal
* All assets financed under the scheme will also be registered on the NCR
- No, applicants will not be required to submit hardcopies of original documents for either custody or sighting at any stage of the process.
- The Bank of Industry (BOI) is the Participating Financial Institution responsible for processing and disbursement of the loan for the pilot phase of the Scheme
- Tier 1 – Individual projects: Loan limit of N5Million for a tenor of 5 years
- Tier 2 – Partnership / Company projects (with maximum 5 individual partners) : Loan limit of N25 million for a tenor of 5 years.
- First degree certificate (BSc/HND/or its equivalent);
- National Youth Service Certificate (NYSC) discharge or exemption certificate;
- Certificate of Participation issued by polytechnics and universities evidencing entrepreneurship training;
- Projected Statement of Income, Statement of Affairs, and cash flow projections for start-ups and businesses with less than 3 years of operations;
- Business plan outlining details, financials and economic benefits of the projects.