Development Bank of Nigeria Opens Applications For 2025 Entrepreneurship Training Programme

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED

LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) has officially announced the opening of applications for its 2025 Entrepreneurship Training Programme, the bank’s annual flagship capacity development initiative for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.

Now in its 7th edition, the DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme (DBNETP) is open to all Nigerians interested in entrepreneurship, regardless of background or business stage.

The training programme is scheduled to be held in 12 cities across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. It is designed to empower young minds and entrepreneurs by enhancing their capacity for business growth and sustainability.

The DBNETP includes expert-led online modules combined with in-person workshops, offering a hybrid learning experience. Often described as a business school at no cost, the programme provides free, high-quality training to participants.

Shortlisted candidates who will be attending the in-person workshop also get the opportunity to pitch their ideas and win a grant. Business ideas with innovative problem-solving solutions will receive grant funding to scale their business.

Formal registration for the capacity training has commenced on the DBN Learning Management System (LMS), and interested applicants are enjoined to log in to – www.learning.devbankng.com to register.

Every participant is expected to enrol and complete a minimum of four (4) mandatory courses on the DBN BizAid LMS and obtain an overall score of 80 per cent from all quizzes.

The courses are Credit Management and Access to Finance, Sustainability for Small Businesses, Accounting and Book-Keeping, and Marketing and Sales Techniques.

Upon completion of the four courses by the stipulated deadline and achieving the required 80 per cent pass mark, shortlisted participants will receive an email with a link to apply for the in-person training.

Upon submission of the application forms, each applicant will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, after which applicants will be screened and shortlisted based on the eligibility criteria.

Further communication will also be shared with the successful applicants, providing other important details of the training. The selection criteria for the training include bankability – level of readiness to access credit, feasibility and sustainability of the business model, and scalability – demonstrable potential for growth and ability to create jobs.

Commenting on the capacity-building training, Managing Director/CEO of DBN, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, affirmed that the capacity development programme underscored the bank’s long-term commitment to supporting both aspiring entrepreneurs to hone their entrepreneurial skills as well as fostering the growth and scalability of already existing MSMEs.

“Capacity building is pivotal for MSMEs’ growth in Nigeria as it bridges the knowledge and skills gap, empowering entrepreneurs to innovate, compete, and thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. The DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme, which is in its 7th Cycle, highlights DBN’s focus on equipping MSMEs with the necessary skills to succeed”, he asserted.

Okpanachi further said: “Our capacity-building training is a catalyst for unlocking MSMEs’ potential as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation, and prosperity in Nigeria,” adding, “This training emphasises DBN’s role in promoting economic growth through MSME development.”

Speaking on the uniqueness of this year’s edition of the DBNETP, Okpanachi disclosed thus: “We want to scale up what we’ve done in the first six years. There’s still a lot to be done in Nigeria, and we are very aspirational in our approach – we want to expand our impact and support more young entrepreneurs and MSMEs generally.”

He pointed out further that since its inception, DBN’s commitment to the sector included disbursement of over N1 trillion to MSMEs, resulting in the creation of more than 1.2 million jobs; support for MSMEs in economically-disadvantaged states; and focus on inclusive growth, with targets to allocate 20% of loans to women-led businesses and 40% to enterprises owned by economically-disadvantaged Nigerians.

Dr. Okpanachi encouraged young Nigerians with a passion for entrepreneurship to take advantage of the training, stressing that the knowledge gained during the free training would be an invaluable asset for business success.

“The DBNETP offers immense opportunity for young people who are looking for opportunity in Nigeria’s wide enterprise ecosystem and for those already in business desiring to scale the hurdle to a structured, sustainable business. Enrol for the 7th DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme and gain the skills to grow. This is a business school; a top-tier business training at zero cost, 100% growth potential, and access to top-tier expert-led online modules and practical, in-person workshops across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones’,’ he enthused.

The DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme (DBNETP) aims to equip MSMEs with skills and competencies to access credit, manage funds efficiently, and improve business sustainability. It is one of the flagship initiatives by the Development Bank of Nigeria to bolster the capacity of MSMEs for growth, business sustainability, and enabling them to scale