Orange Corners Nigeria has teamed up with Stanbic IBTC Bank in a renewed effort to empower young business minds across the country.
A project initiated by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Orange Corners Nigeria is locally run by the FATE Foundation. The organization recently revealed this new alliance with Stanbic IBTC during a formal event held in Lagos.
As outlined in an official release, the partnership is designed to broaden youth access to funding opportunities, tailored business guidance, and entrepreneurial training across Nigeria.
Wole Adeniyi, the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to cultivating young entrepreneurial talent.
“We are going to help catalyse more entrepreneurs and also help the youth. It goes with what we are doing with SME businesses,” Adeniyi stated. “We are going to be able to scale more, empower them more, and also provide access to financing that will help to support the economy.”
Since its inception in 2019, Orange Corners Nigeria has served as a launchpad for startups, offering a structured business incubator and innovation support system for emerging entrepreneurs. It has been instrumental in offering mentorship, capacity building, and vital business connections.
Michel Deelen, the Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, emphasized the initiative’s symbolic role in promoting youth development in Nigeria. He said, “Orange Corners is the expression of our belief in the youth of Nigeria. From inception, the plan was to do this together with the private sector, and we are very pleased to have found a partner in Stanbic IBTC.”
Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director of FATE Foundation, expressed optimism about the expanded impact the partnership will create.
“We’re excited to partner with Stanbic IBTC to advance Orange Corners Nigeria’s mission of fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, where young people can turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses,” Adeyemi remarked.
She further mentioned that the collaboration would open the door to “more comprehensive support, mentorship, and opportunities for growth, ultimately driving innovation and job creation in Nigeria.”
Also present at the ceremony was Jurriaan Middelholf, the Netherlands’ Ambassador for Youth, Education and Employment, along with other stakeholders from FATE Foundation, Stanbic IBTC, and the Dutch Consulate.
Some of the current participants and past beneficiaries of the Orange Corners Nigeria programme recounted their entrepreneurial journeys, sharing how the programme helped shape their businesses, as well as the ongoing obstacles they face.
