The Nigerian Central Bank has created a Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) in collaboration with Nigerian polytechnics and universities to address rising youth unemployment.

The Scheme's overarching goal is to provide capital for Nigerian students and graduates with innovative entrepreneurial and technology concepts from polytechnics and universities.
The Scheme's goals include the following:

• To provide a conducive atmosphere for co-creation, mentoring, and the development of entrepreneurial and technology ideas.
• To fast-track ideation, development, and acceleration of an innovation-driven entrepreneurial culture among Nigerian polytechnic and university graduates.
• In collaboration with academics and industry practitioners, boost undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurial capability for entrepreneurship and economic growth.
• Increase the non-oil sector's contribution to the country's GDP.
• Help to Improve access to funding and capacity development will help achieve gender balance in entrepreneurial growth.
• Address the growing unemployment and underemployment among th youth
• The Scheme intends to create an innovative financing approach that will help to increase job creation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

REQUIREMENTS

The following are some of the loan's essential requirements:

• Prospective applicants shall attend mandatory entrepreneurship training with their respective Nigerian polytechnics and universities and certificates of completion issued to trainees
• Applications shall be submitted on a dedicated online portal (https://cbnties.com.ng), with copies of relevant documents attached for review, which shall include the following:
• 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
• Valid mobile phone number (linked to your NIN), BVN, NIN, TIN, and email address
• Evidence of business registration (certified true copies of relevant CAC documents)
•   Corporate bank account number of business

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES (AREAS OF BUSINESS)

Innovative start-ups and fledgling enterprises owned by graduates of Nigerian polytechnics and universities would be covered under the Scheme in the following categories.

• 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

CATEGORIES OF LOANS

In the Scheme, there are two types of loans. They are Sole Proprietors and TIES Loans for Small Businesses and Enterprises.

Sole Proprietors: Under the Loan Scheme, businesses held by a single individual can borrow up to N5 million.

• Loan Duration (Tenor): 5 years
• Interest Rate: 5% from date of collection to February 28, 2022 (and 9% from March 1, 2022)
• Moratorium: Maximum of 12 months (dependent on the type of business)

Small Business / Enterprise: Group-owned firms must register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and provide true certified copies (CTC) of all required paperwork.

• The group can access up to N25 Million loans under the TIES Loan Scheme.
• Loan Duration (Tenor): 5 years
• Interest Rate: 5% from date of collection to February 28, 2022 (and 9% from March 1, 2022)
• Moratorium: Maximum of 12 months (dependent on the type of business)

Finally, the CBN graduate loan is a positive start toward tackling the growing youth unemployment and underemployment rates. This program supports the development of innovative financial models that will increase job creation, entrepreneurial development, and economic growth.