The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has officially opened applications for the 8th Cohort of its Entrepreneurship Training Programme (ETP 8.0)—a fully funded capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening Nigerian entrepreneurs, small business owners, and MSMEs with practical skills needed to build sustainable and scalable businesses.
Since its launch in 2019, the programme has trained thousands of entrepreneurs across Nigeria, equipping them with real-world business knowledge, mentorship support, and access to opportunities that improve long-term business survival and growth.
Why DBN ETP 8.0 Matters for Nigerian Entrepreneurs
Across Nigeria’s business landscape, many startups and small businesses struggle not because their ideas lack value, but because they often lack access to structured business education, financial literacy, and growth systems.
The DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme bridges this gap by providing hands-on, practical learning that helps entrepreneurs:
- Improve business structure and operations
- Strengthen financial management skills
- Understand how to access funding opportunities
- Formalize and register their businesses
- Build long-term sustainable growth strategies
For early-stage entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Abuja and across Nigeria, this programme serves as a strong foundation for turning ideas into profitable ventures.
What Participants Will Learn
The DBN ETP 8.0 curriculum is designed to cover core areas that directly impact business survival and expansion. Training modules include:
- Business management and operations
- Financial planning and management
- Marketing and customer acquisition strategies
- Business growth and scaling techniques
- Access to finance and funding readiness
- Business formalization and compliance
- Entrepreneurial leadership and decision-making
All training is delivered through an online learning platform, allowing participants to learn flexibly from anywhere in Nigeria at their own pace.
How the Programme Works
To successfully participate in the programme, applicants are expected to follow these steps:
- Register on the DBN Learning Platform
- Enrol in the available entrepreneurship courses
- Complete at least four mandatory courses
- Qualify for advanced opportunities such as physical workshops and business pitch sessions
Top-performing participants may also be selected for in-person training sessions, mentorship engagement, and opportunities to pitch their business ideas to access funding support.
Reward4Learning Initiative (BizAid Programme)
In addition to training, DBN also runs the BizAid Reward4Learning initiative, which rewards outstanding participants based on performance in assessments and course completion.
Benefits include:
- Cash rewards distributed every two weeks for top performers
- Access to business grants and funding opportunities
- Total rewards of up to ₦900,000 for exceptional participants
This initiative is designed to encourage active participation while supporting entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong learning outcomes and business potential.
Benefits of DBN ETP 8.0
Participants stand to gain a wide range of benefits, including:
- Fully funded entrepreneurship training (no cost involved)
- Flexible, self-paced online learning experience
- Practical business development knowledge
- Exposure to industry experts and business mentors
- Networking opportunities with entrepreneurs nationwide
- Eligibility for workshops and pitching opportunities
- Access to grants, funding support, and cash rewards
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to a wide range of applicants, including:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs
- Startup founders
- Small business owners
- MSMEs across different sectors
- Individuals seeking practical business skills and growth support
Whether you are just starting out or already running a small business, the programme is designed to help you build stronger business systems and scale effectively.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are encouraged to register through the official DBN learning platform and begin their application process immediately.
Start your application here: http://learning.devbankng.com
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