The Strategic Youth Development Programme (SYDP) has commenced the first phase of its virtual mentorship and investment readiness programme after officially launching its inaugural cohort in Akoka, Lagos, on July 3, 2026.
The initiative, designed to equip young Nigerians with entrepreneurial and leadership skills, is targeting verified students and recent graduates from accredited tertiary institutions across the country. The programme seeks to bridge the gap between education and enterprise by connecting participants with mentors, investors, business leaders and ecosystem partners.
The programme is led by Auxilium Max Company Ltd (AMC), a Pan-African Business Venture Studio, in collaboration with BlackBelt Global Consulting LLC and Palms Africa. Organisers said the partnership combines enterprise development, leadership training, investment readiness, mentorship and strategic collaborations to prepare participants for business growth and innovation.
Speaking on the initiative, Principal Consultant of Auxilium Max Company Ltd and Project Lead of SYDP, Perpetual-Love Uduma, described Africa’s youth as the continent’s greatest asset, stressing that the programme was designed to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
She explained that the initiative is anchored on the TEND Framework—Train, Empower, Network and Develop—which provides participants with practical entrepreneurship training, leadership development, financial management, business development, employability skills and investment readiness.
According to her, the programme aims to build one of Africa’s leading youth enterprise ecosystems by bringing together academia, industry, investors, policymakers and development organisations.
“The Strategic Youth Development Programme is more than an entrepreneurship initiative. It is a collaborative movement to prepare a new generation of ethical leaders, innovators and enterprise builders capable of creating jobs and driving economic growth across Africa,” Uduma said.
The current virtual phase focuses on venture validation, business model development, leadership, communication, financial planning, investment readiness and pitch preparation ahead of future investor engagement sessions.
Also speaking, Co-founder and Service Delivery Lead of Auxilium Max Company Ltd, Arc. Chisomaga Njemanze, said the programme extends beyond classroom learning by positioning participants to present investment-ready ventures before investors and strategic partners.
“We are not running a programme that ends with a certificate. Our objective is to ensure promising businesses are equipped to access capital, strategic partnerships and sustainable growth opportunities,” he said.
The organisers disclosed that the inaugural cohort is supported by a network of local and international organisations contributing expertise in entrepreneurship, technology, governance, leadership, employability, creative industries and social impact.
Among the founding partners are Auxilium Max Company Ltd, BlackBelt Global Consulting LLC, Palms Africa and the Association for Students’ Social Welfare Nigeria (ASSWN), while programme delivery partners span Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.
SYDP also announced plans to establish an independent Advisory Board comprising experts from academia, entrepreneurship, investment, industry and youth development to provide strategic oversight and strengthen programme governance.
For the inaugural cohort, organisers have set ambitious targets of enrolling 600 verified students and recent graduates, supporting 50 high-potential ventures through mentorship and enterprise development, and positioning 20 ventures to secure funding through investors, grants and strategic partnerships.
Applications are currently open to eligible students and recent graduates through the programme’s official website.
The Strategic Youth Development Programme describes itself as a Pan-African Youth Enterprise Development and Investment Readiness Ecosystem focused on equipping young people with the skills, mentorship, partnerships and investment opportunities needed to build sustainable businesses and contribute to inclusive economic growth across Africa.