Opportunities: UNICEF Internship, FG Cash Transfer, SMEDAN Grants You Shouldn't Miss
- There are three life-changing opportunities for Nigerians and business owners in 2025
- These opportunities will allow individuals and business owners to access funds and grow their businesses and careers
- One of the opportunities allows participants to earn close to N4.8 million monthly, depending on their location
Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
Opportunities can transform lives, whether through funding, financial relief, or real-world exposure that shapes careers. In 2025, several programs stand out as life-changing for Nigerian youths, students, and entrepreneurs.
Among them are the UNICEF Remote Internship Program, the Nigerian Cash Transfer Program, and the SMEDAN Conditional Grant Scheme.
Source: Getty Images
These initiatives not only offer financial support but also provide avenues for skill-building, entrepreneurship growth, and empowerment.
If taken seriously, they could be the stepping stones many Nigerians need to thrive in today’s challenging economy.
UNICEF Remote Internship Programme
Stipend: $1,700 (about N4.8 million) monthly
For students and young professionals seeking global exposure, UNICEF’s Remote Internship Programme is a rare gem.
The programme offers a flexible work structure, allowing interns to collaborate with UNICEF teams worldwide without leaving their homes.
What makes it particularly attractive is the generous stipend of $1,700 monthly, designed to cover living expenses and enable interns to focus fully on their assignments.
This means a Nigerian participant could earn up to N4.8 million each month, depending on exchange rates.
Beyond the financial benefits, interns gain valuable experience in humanitarian work, child rights advocacy, and global development projects.
They also get to build an international network that can open doors to long-term career opportunities in the UN and other development organisations.
For those passionate about driving change while earning a solid stipend, this is one program to keep on your radar.
Nigerian Cash Transfer Programme: A lifeline for families
Support: Direct cash payments to vulnerable households
Launched as part of the federal government’s social intervention strategy, the Nigerian Cash Transfer Programme is designed to reduce poverty and strengthen vulnerable families.
Direct cash payments help households meet their most basic needs: food, health care, and education.
At a time when many Nigerians are grappling with inflation and rising costs of living, the cash transfer serves as a vital safety net.
Beneficiaries often use the funds to improve their standard of living, start micro-enterprises, or invest in children’s education.
More importantly, the program promotes financial inclusion, giving beneficiaries access to formal financial systems and resources that might have otherwise remained out of reach.
For struggling families, the initiative is more than money — it’s a pathway toward stability and dignity.
SMEDAN Conditional Grant Scheme: Empowering entrepreneurs
Focus: Grants, capacity-building, and business support
For Nigeria’s millions of small business owners, the SMEDAN Conditional Grant Scheme offers both funding and knowledge. Managed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the scheme targets micro and small businesses, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
Beneficiaries receive financial support to grow their businesses, along with training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
By combining grants with capacity-building, the program ensures entrepreneurs don’t just receive money but also the skills and tools to make their ventures sustainable.
From local fashion designers to small-scale agro-processors, this scheme helps entrepreneurs scale up, create jobs, and contribute to community development.
Opportunities for all Nigerians
Whether you’re a student craving international exposure, a household in need of support, or an entrepreneur determined to grow, these three programs are designed to help you thrive in 2025.
The key lies in staying informed, applying early, and preparing the right documentation. Opportunities like these don’t just provide relief; they create pathways for long-term growth, stability, and prosperity.
Source: UGC
As Nigeria navigates economic challenges, seizing these chances could make all the difference.
FG launches new credit scheme
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) launched YouthCred to make loans available for Nigerian youths.
The national loan scheme allows young people to access up to N5 million as part of efforts to help them actualise their dreams with ease.
Ayodele Olawande, the minister of Youth Development, in a statement the scheme was not just for corps members but for all youths irrespective of their status.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
