The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES)
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme: We are pleased to announce to the general public that the CBN is to offer N500 million grant to graduates, undergraduates with the best Entrepreneurship Pitch in Nigeria.
Interested persons should carefully read through this article to know how to apply.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as part of its policy measures to address rising youth unemployment and underemployment, introduces the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) to create a paradigm shift among undergraduates and graduates of Nigerian polytechnics and universities, from seeking white-collar jobs to entrepreneurship.
The CBN Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) aims to provide an innovative financing model that will boost job creation, enhance entrepreneurship development, and support economic growth.
This was disclosed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in a circular, titled ‘Guidelines for the implementation of tertiary institutions entrepreneurship scheme’, dated October 2021.
The apex bank stated that the goal of the TIES is to enhance access to finance to undergraduates and graduates of polytechnics and universities in Nigeria with innovative entrepreneurial and technological ideas.
What the CBN is saying
The apex bank stated that the development of TIES was to address the trend of graduates seeking white collar jobs and turn their attention to the creation of jobs.
CBN stated that “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 development for economic development and job creation.”
Regarding the grant, the CBN would distribute N500million among the top 5 tertiary institutions with the best pitch.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES)
CBN said, “Five top Nigerian polytechnics and universities with the best entrepreneurial pitches/ideas shall be awarded as follows: first place – N150m; second place – N120m; third place – N100m; fourth place – N80m; and fifth place – N50m,”
The apex bank stated that it, ”shall constitute a Body of Experts (BoE) from the private and public sector for the biennial regional and national entrepreneurship competitions to evaluate entrepreneurial and technological innovations submitted by Nigerian polytechnics and universities. The Body of Experts (BoE) shall recommend projects with high potential and transformational impact for the grant award.”
Key highlights of the guideline
- Projects financed under the Scheme shall be monitored by independent monitors jointly engaged by the CBN and PFI
- The Scheme would be operated for 10 years in the first instance (not exceeding 31st December 2031) depending on the complexity of the project.
- Interest payment and principal repayment should be made on a monthly or quarterly basis by the obligor depending on the established cash flow cycle and in line with the approved repayment schedule.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Introduces N500 Million Grant for Graduates, Undergraduates
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) – https://cbnties.com.ng
CBN TIES Features:
1. Term Loan
Eligibility:
Graduates of any Nigerian university or polytechnic within the past seven (7) years with entrepreneurial interest.
Scope of activities:
- 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; and
- Science and technology – medical innovation, robotics, ticketing systems, traffic systems, renewable energy, waste management.
See Also: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Introduces N500 Million Grant for Graduates, Undergraduates
Requirements:
Apply online via the designated online portal (https://cbnties.com.ng) providing requisite information and documents, such as:
- First degree and NYSC discharge (or exemption certificate);
- 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); and
- Corporate bank account number of business. NOTE: Priority will be given to innovative entrepreneurial activities with high potentials for export, job creation and transformational impact.
Female entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
Prohibition:
Trading activities shall not be eligible for financing under the Scheme.
Loan features:
- N5.0 million for individual/sole proprietorship/small company projects; and
- N25.0 million for partnerships/company projects
- Interest rate: 5% per annum (9% effective from March 1, 2022 or as may be prescribed by the CBN)
- Tenor: Five (5) years
- Moratorium: 12 months
2. Equity Investment
Eligibility:
Start-ups, existing businesses expanding or ailing businesses.
Scope of activities:
The equity investments shall be in enterprises operating within the eligible scope of activities. Applications for participation under the window shall be through submission of application on https://cbnties.com.ng
NOTE: The equity investment shall be implemented under the AgSMEIS Equity window.
3. Developmental (Grant) Component
Polytechnics and universities in Nigeria shall compete in the national biennial entrepreneurship competition to raise awareness and visibility of entrepreneurial or technological innovations among undergraduates. Applications for participation under the Development window shall be through submission of application on https://cbnties.com.ng
Body of Experts (BoE) shall be constituted from the private and public sector to evaluate entrepreneurial and technological innovations submitted by Nigerian polytechnics and universities.
Top five (5) polytechnics and universities at the national level shall be awarded the grant prize on the recommendation of the Body of Experts (BoE).
Grant awards:
- First place – N150.0 million;
- Second place – N120.0 million;
- Third place – N100.0 million;
- Fourth place – N80.0 million; and
- Fifth place – N50.0 million.
The grant shall be utilised specifically for the development of the awardwinning innovations and to support research and development of highimpact projects within or around the institution’s community.
Scope of activities:
Agribusiness, information technology, creative industry and science & technology.
NOTE: The Equity Investment and Developmental (Grant) Components would commence from April 2022..
Investment Limit:
Subject to the limit prescribed in the AgSMEIS Guidelines.
Investment Period:
i. Investment made shall be for a maximum period of ten (10) years (not exceeding December 31, 2031).
ii. There shall be a 3-year lock-in period before exit in order to encourage value creation and boost managerial capacity of business.
For further information on the CBN TIES guidelines and other enquiries, please visit www.cbn.gov.ng
Signed: Director, Development Finance Department
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES)
If you need us to help you with more information about the grant, feel free to ask questions using the comment box below.
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