Goodluck Jonathan during his reign as Nigeria’s President initiated the YouWin! Small and Medium Enterprise, SME Growth Fund responsible for creating over 22,000 jobs – but as Muhammodu Buhari took over as President, it was put on hold with intention to scrape.

However, a source revealed that Buhari has succumbed to pressure and has given his approval for the YouWiN relaunch.

The source disclosed that Buhari was initially unconvinced about the programe but finally bowed to pressure to continue with YouWiN but, albeit, under a new name.

This laudable project was began by former president Goodluck Jonathan with sponsorship from World Bank under the coordination of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

This affected the payment of the YouWiN3 Awardees who up till now have not received their 2nd and 3rd tranches. Expectedly, this has affected their businesses threatening them to the point of folding up if nothing is done to pay them the remaining funds.

In order not to get Nigerians talking about the government copying the works of the “ineffectual Buffon” as tagged by The Economist, a new name and a new platform has been created.

The YouWiN Programme has been renamed “BUSINESS INNOVATION GROWTH (BIG)” by the Buhari administration.

Interested Nigerians can log into the new website and enter for the competition: www.bigportal.org.ng

HISTORY

imageFrom 2012 to 2015, the Jonathan government gave away over $100 million dollars to over 3,000 entrepreneurs as part of the YouWin competition. More than $50 million has already been disbursed. The winning entrepreneurs have received grants averaging $50,000 dollars to start or expand a business, and thus create jobs. Only people ages 40 and younger were allowed to apply.

In 2011, the former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan formally launched the first round of the business competition YouWin.

In the first of four rounds, the government granted $58 million to 1,200 entrepreneurs.

Goodluck Jonathan had the following words for YouWiN;

Bill Gates’ Microsoft and Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook are eloquent testimonies to the capacity of the youth to dream big and win big in an innovative manner. We have such men and women in this land too: our challenge is to find them early, nurture them and encourage them.”

WORLD BANK on YouWiN

In August 2015, the World Bank published an evaluation of the YouWin program by the economist David McKenzie. McKenzie analyzed survey data on the 1,920 firms three years after the program began, and found that the grant had a larger impact than he expected. The selected firms were substantially more likely to launch, survive, make profits, and, most importantly, to generate new jobs.

Of the firms evaluated, approximately 60% were new and 40% already existed. McKenzie analyzed these groups separately.

The main impact of the grant was that it seemed to have helped firms get off the ground and survive. Three years after the competition, 91% of entrepreneurs who launched their business after winning the grant were still in operation compared to only 54% of the losing entrepreneurs. For existing businesses, 96% of the grant-winners survived, while only 76% of the losers continued to operate.

World Bank report on YouWin: http://wwwwds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2015/08/12/090224b08306bb9a/1_0/Rendered/PDF/Identifying0an0ess0plan0competition.pdfWorld Bank report on YouWiN

End time confused President

Very confused

"Change"

The biggest lie told to humankind.

Na wa oooh

This is a very good move by Mr. President. this Youwin program now known as BIG according to Mr OP helped one of my friend to start a meaningful life.

His wife won the first Youwin program and today both of them are managing life. All thank to Mr. Ex-president and the minister of finance.

From what i have seen and known for the last few yews about this program, Youwin is transparent. if you write a good business plan you will surely win.
I wish everyone that will apply Good luck and success.

wat do u expect from a nepa cert holder always flip floping about like a confuse goose.

Cc: lalasticlala

How do we get the change please when the gov't can't implement new ideas and policies. Goodluck Jonathan is Buhari's mentor shikena

There is nothing wrong in adopting the scheme, as long as it will improve the economy and welfare of Nigerians.

Buhari should make things work in this country because this "change" we voted for is becoming a nightmare

Inconclusive elections.

Inconclusive budget.

Every week foreign trips.

Lie Lie muhammed to Nigerians. No single truth.

Naira on a free fall.

Agents of negative CHANGE don take cover..

CelebrityStar:
This is a very good move by Mr. President. this Youwin program now known as BIG according to Mr OP helped one of my friend to start a meaningful life.

His wife won the first Youwin program and today both of them are managing life. All thank to Mr. Ex-president and the minister of finance.

From what i have seen and known for the last few yews about this program, Youwin is transparent. if you write a good business plan you will surely win.
I wish everyone that will apply Good luck and success.

But a whole lot of zombies applauded their mentor wen he scrapped the programme without even thoroughly investigating. They claimed it was a waste of money and as usual "corruption"

Just passing by.

Nice initiative

But d zombies sed no nigerian benefited 4rm it,dey sed it ws a scam and bubu ws rite 2 scrap it....brainless sheepy lot

Confused n clueless

Nbote:


But a whole lot of zombies applauded their mentor wen he scrapped the programme without even thoroughly investigating. They claimed it was a waste of money and as usual "corruption"

Don't mind them. If the president is ready and willing to do something serious, then you will see business minded Nigerians willing to apply.

If you ever read some youwin business plan, you will understand that Nigerians are wonderful in business plan writing. Most of them just waste with their knowledge due to lack of funding.

Since the president now wants to make Nigeria an exporting country, supporting Youwin program will be the best move towards archiving his dreams. If our Youths are empowered, then we will produce 70% of what we consume.

At least that shows he is a repented dictator afterall

Yes that is life for you. Since he came with change, any thing can change including Mr. president.

Aremu01:
At least that shows he is a repented dictator afterall

I support the president in either continuing with the YOUWIN project or improving upon it because it is a laudable initiative in empowering the youths but @winningwinner what is the source of this your news? Those letters in blue leads nowhere!

Isnt it strange that the whois record of this your BRAND NEW PORTAL was registered on 01-05-2015?
It also has the following registration details:
Admin Organization: UltraCrest
Admin Street: 4/6 Baptist Church AvenueAdmin Street: IlasamajaAdmin
City: LagosAdmin
State/Province:Admin
Postal Code: 100009
Admin Country: NGAdmin
Phone: +234.17225488

If you say this is YOUWIN with only the outer cover changed how come they are only funding REGISTERED COMPANIES and not individuals?

@OP I await your sincere answers!

[size=15pt] The BIG site looks like a scam to me though


for those of you already passing judgement.. I think you should wait for an official statement from Ministry of Trade & Investment

Don't just take what you read online hook, line & sinker..

Someone could just sit in his own corner of the world to come up with this 'scam'

visit that site above and explore before you quote me.. [/size]

The most confused dullard supervising over a confused administration.

I'll wait for confirmation

That is if the news isn't later debunked.

Who cares if one million you win programs are launched?

I have not seen a single initiative from this current government. They have been living on the past administration's ideas.
they will be forced to bring back all the good programs they scrap because of their hatred.

shaqhead:
I support the president in either continuing with the YOUWIN project or improving upon it because it is a laudable initiative in empowering the youths but @winningwinner what is the source of this your news? Those letters in blue leads nowhere!

Isnt it strange that the whois record of this your BRAND NEW PORTAL was registered on 01-05-2015?
It also has the following registration details:
Admin Organization: UltraCrest
Admin Street: 4/6 Baptist Church AvenueAdmin Street: IlasamajaAdmin
City: LagosAdmin
State/Province:Admin
Postal Code: 100009
Admin Country: NGAdmin
Phone: +234.17225488

If you say this is YOUWIN with only the outer cover changed how come they are only funding REGISTERED COMPANIES and not individuals?

@OP I await your sincere answers!

The same thought here, but numbers of those that failed the YouWiN3 interview in Abuja were being called to resubmit their proposals as efforts are being made to include their names in the winners list. I investigated by calling the same number and a lady answered stressing that Mr. President has relaunched the programme as well as renaming it.
The number still looms large: 09082354317.
Confirm!

winningwinner:



The same thought here, but numbers of those that failed the YouWiN3 interview in Abuja were being called to resubmit their proposals as efforts are being made to include their names in the winners list. I investigated by calling the same number and a lady answered stressing that Mr. President has relaunched the programme as well as renaming it.
The number still looms large: 09082354317.
Confirm!

Ok thank you...

NegusNagast:
The most confused dullard supervising over a confused administration.

hi

dollyjoy:
hi

How are you?

NegusNagast:
How are you?

am fine dear.pls follow me back,have got a message for you.

dollyjoy:
am fine dear.pls follow me back,have got a message for you.

Done.