DBN Free Entrepreneurship Training Program for –

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The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has opened applications forCohort 2 of its Entrepreneurship Training Programme, offering entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in North-West Nigeria free online training to strengthen their business management skills and support enterprise growth.

The programme is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge to improve business operations, manage finances, reach customers and scale their enterprises.

Available Courses

Participants can access training in the following areas:

• Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Credit Management and Access to Finance
• Marketing and Sales Techniques
• Sustainability for Small Businesses
• Business Scaling and Exporting
• Business Branding and Communications
• Women’s Entrepreneurship Mindset Toolkit
• Human Resource Management
• SME Laws and Regulations
• Project Management Principles for Small Businesses
• Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for MSMEs

Participants are required to complete at least four mandatory courses.

Benefits of the Programme

Selected participants will have access to:

• Free online entrepreneurship training.
• Practical business management knowledge and skills.
• Flexible remote learning from home or the office.
• Opportunities to be selected for a physical workshop.
• A platform to pitch business ideas and compete for grants.

Important: Completing the online training does not guarantee selection for the physical workshop or the award of a grant.

Who Can Apply?

The programme targets entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in North-West Nigeria who want to improve their business skills and strengthen their enterprises.

Participants must have access to the internet to complete the online courses.

How to Apply

Interested entrepreneurs should:

1. Visit the official DBN learning platform: https://learning.devbankng.com/R2M
2. Register for Cohort 2 of the Entrepreneurship Training Programme.
3. Use affiliate code R2M where requested.
4. Access the available courses and complete at least four mandatory courses.
5. Follow DBN updates regarding selection for the physical workshop and grant-pitching stage.

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New Government and NGO Tenders in Nigeria: Contracts Small Businesses, MSMEs and Consultants Can Bid For (November 2026)

Nigerian businesses, suppliers, contractors and consultants have new opportunities to secure government and NGO contracts this November. The opportunities cover ICT equipment, construction, agricultural supplies, consultancy, event management, hygiene products and other services. Some deadlines are as early as 6 November 2026.

If you run a small business or professional services firm, these opportunities could help you secure new customers, expand your operations and build a track record working with government agencies and development organisations.

Here are some of the current tender opportunities worth checking.

1. UNDP seeks event management firm for Abuja assignment

Organisation: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Opportunity: Event management and coordination services

Deadline: 6 November 2026, 13:00 GMT-4 (18:00 Nigerian time)

UNDP is inviting proposals from qualified event management companies to organise and coordinate events for the launch of investment-related reports and frameworks involving the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The selected firm will handle event planning, venue coordination, branding, audio-visual services, logistics, vendor management, photography, videography, public relations and post-event reporting.

The assignment is expected to run for three months.

Who should consider bidding? Established event management companies with experience organising corporate, government or development-sector events.

Application:View the UNDP tender notice and bidding requirements.

2. CBM seeks suppliers of menstrual hygiene kits

Organisation: Christoffel-Blindenmission (CBM)

Opportunity: Supply of menstrual hygiene management kits for learners

CBM is requesting quotations from qualified suppliers for the supply of menstrual hygiene management kits for learners.

This opportunity may interest businesses involved in the supply and distribution of sanitary products, personal hygiene materials and related educational or health supplies.

Interested suppliers should review the official quotation requirements, product specifications and terms before submitting their bids.

Application:View the CBM tender notice.

3. CBM seeks suppliers of sanitation kits

Opportunity: Supply of sanitation kits

CBM has also published a separate request for quotations for the supply of sanitation kits.

Businesses supplying hygiene products, sanitation materials and related items may find this opportunity relevant.

Suppliers should carefully check the required specifications and quotation conditions before submitting an offer.

Application:View the CBM sanitation kits tender.

4. IOM invites quotations for construction of 17 housing units in Benue

Organisation: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Opportunity: Construction of 17 two-room housing units with wash facilities

Location: Yelwata, Benue State

IOM has issued a request for quotation for the construction of 17 two-room housing units with wash facilities in Yelwata, Benue State.

This opportunity is relevant to construction companies, building contractors and qualified firms with the technical and operational capacity to deliver housing projects.

Interested businesses should obtain the full request for quotation documents to establish the technical specifications, eligibility conditions and submission procedure.

5. Ekiti State seeks consultants for business development and digital skills programmes

Organisation: Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA)

EKDIPA has published consultancy opportunities under its Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) initiative. The opportunities include:

• Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), ICT and Digital Skills Development: For consulting firms with relevant experience in ICT, digital skills and business process outsourcing.
• Cluster Innovation and Enterprise Development: For firms with experience in private-sector enterprise development and innovation clusters.
• Private-Sector Operator Capability Development and Recognition: For consultants capable of strengthening the capacity and performance of private-sector operators.

These opportunities may be particularly relevant to management consulting firms, enterprise development organisations, ICT training providers and business development professionals.

Interested firms should examine the individual expressions of interest and their qualification requirements.

Application:View the EKDIPA consultancy opportunities.

6. Bayelsa State Polytechnic invites bids for innovation hub remodelling

Organisation: Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri

Opportunity: Remodelling of the institution’s Innovation Hub

Bayelsa State Polytechnic has invited competent and experienced contractors and firms to submit technical and financial bids for the remodelling of its Innovation Hub under the 2026 TETFund Special Intervention.

The tender requires evidence of CAC incorporation, tax compliance, pension compliance, ITF and NSITF compliance, registration with the relevant federal contractors’ database, audited accounts and evidence of similar projects executed.

Businesses must also demonstrate financial capacity to execute the project.

Who should consider bidding? Construction, renovation, interior works and related contracting firms with relevant experience and the required compliance documentation.

Application:View the Bayelsa State Polytechnic tender.

7. Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development invites contractors and suppliers

Organisation: Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Abuja

Opportunity: Execution of projects under the 2026 appropriation

The Centre has invited qualified contractors, suppliers and service providers to participate in projects under its 2026 appropriation.

The listed projects cover several categories, including:

• Construction and rehabilitation works.
• Supply and installation of solar streetlights.
• Supply of educational and instructional materials.
• Supply of agricultural inputs and fertilisers.
• Supply of solar-powered refrigerators and freezers.
• Supply of equipment and empowerment materials.
• Provision of machinery and tools for women artisans and traders.

This is a broad procurement opportunity that may interest construction companies, equipment suppliers, agricultural input distributors, solar energy businesses and other qualified service providers.

Application:View the Maryam Babangida Centre tender notice.

8. Lagos State seeks suppliers of ICT equipment worth thousands of units

Organisation: Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

Project: Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU)

Reference: NG-LAGOS SPCU-579832-GO-RFB

The Lagos State Government has issued a request for bids for the procurement of ICT equipment under the World Bank-financed Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project.

• 1 desktop computer.
• 25 laptops.
• 463 tablets.
• 1 projector.
• 3,600 mobile phones.
• Other related digital equipment and accessories.

The equipment is to be delivered to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, within 14 working days.

This opportunity may be relevant to established ICT equipment dealers, technology distributors and companies capable of sourcing and delivering the required quantities within the specified period.

Application:View the Lagos State ICT procurement notice.

9. Edo State seeks engineering design consultants

Organisation: Edo State NEWMAP-EIB Project Implementation Unit

Project: Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project

Reference: NEWMAP-EIB/ED/PMU/2026/001

Edo State is seeking expressions of interest from qualified consulting firms, organisations, consortia and joint ventures to provide engineering design services for civil works under the Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project.

The assignment requires experience in engineering design, topographical surveys, geotechnical investigations, hydrological and hydraulic assessments, erosion and flood-risk assessments, and the preparation of technical drawings and cost estimates.

The opportunity is suited to established engineering and infrastructure consulting firms with multidisciplinary technical teams.

Application:View the Edo State NEWMAP-EIB consultancy notice.

10. Transmission Company of Nigeria seeks independent verification consultants

Organisation: Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)

Opportunity: Independent Verification Agents for the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP)

TCN has invited expressions of interest for consultancy services involving independent verification agents for the Programme-for-Results component of the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.

This opportunity is relevant to consulting firms with experience in independent verification, monitoring and evaluation, project assessment, infrastructure, electricity distribution and related technical services.

Interested firms should review the full expression of interest to understand the required qualifications and submission process.

Application:View the TCN consultancy notice.

How can your small business qualify for government and NGO contracts?

Winning a government or development-sector contract requires more than simply having a registered business. Organisations typically assess a supplier’s legal status, technical capacity, financial strength, relevant experience and ability to deliver.

Although requirements vary from one tender to another, the following documents are commonly requested.

1. Corporate registration documents

• CAC Certificate of Incorporation.
• Relevant CAC company particulars.
• Company profile.
• Evidence of relevant business activities.

2. Tax and statutory compliance

Depending on the procuring organisation and applicable requirements, you may need:

• Tax Clearance Certificate.
• Pension Compliance Certificate.
• Industrial Training Fund (ITF) compliance.
• Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) compliance.
• Registration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) contractors’ database, where required.

3. Financial documents

• Audited financial statements.
• Bank reference letter.
• Evidence of financial capacity.
• Evidence of access to credit facilities, where required.

4. Evidence of previous experience

• Copies of previous contracts.
• Letters of award or completion certificates.
• Evidence of similar projects executed.
• Client references.
• CVs and professional qualifications of key personnel.

Important: Not every tender requires all these documents. Read the individual tender notice and bidding documents carefully. Do not assume that meeting the general requirements automatically qualifies your company.

Can a small business without previous government contracts bid?

Yes, depending on the tender’s eligibility criteria.

Some procurement opportunities are open to suppliers and service providers that can demonstrate relevant experience, technical competence and the ability to deliver. However, other contracts require evidence of similar projects completed within a specified period.

A small business that has never executed a government contract can improve its prospects by:

• Starting with smaller supply and service contracts.
• Partnering with more experienced companies where joint ventures or consortia are permitted.
• Building a portfolio of completed private-sector assignments.
• Maintaining proper financial and statutory records.
• Monitoring procurement notices in its area of specialisation.

Do not bid for a contract simply because it is available. Make sure your business can meet the delivery requirements and finance the work.

Where can Nigerian businesses find government and NGO tenders?

Businesses can monitor the following platforms for procurement opportunities:

1. Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP): Federal public procurement information and guidance.
2. UN Global Marketplace (UNGM): Procurement notices from United Nations agencies, including opportunities in Nigeria.
3. Public Procurement Nigeria: A directory of government, NGO and corporate tender notices.
4. OMNI360 Tenders: Searchable listings of procurement opportunities across Nigeria.
5. Nigeria Business Information: Listings covering NGO, government, UN and corporate procurement opportunities.
6. NDDC e-Procurement Portal: Vendor registration and procurement opportunities published by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Always verify a tender on the procuring organisation’s official website or through its authorised procurement channel before making payments or submitting sensitive company documents.

Beware of fake government and NGO contracts

Tender opportunities can attract fraudsters who demand money in exchange for contract awards, procurement documents or guaranteed shortlisting.

Businesses should take the following precautions:

• Verify the procurement notice directly with the organisation.
• Do not pay individuals who promise to secure a contract.
• Use only the official payment channels specified in the tender documents.
• Be cautious of unsolicited messages claiming that a contract has been awarded.
• Never submit confidential banking or company information to unverified individuals.

A legitimate procurement process should have clear eligibility requirements, submission instructions, evaluation procedures and an identifiable procuring organisation.

Final thoughts

Government and NGO procurement can provide Nigerian MSMEs with opportunities to win contracts, build credibility, grow revenue and establish relationships with larger institutions.

However, businesses must be prepared. Proper documentation, financial capacity, technical competence and a clear understanding of the bidding process are essential.

The opportunities listed above have different eligibility requirements and deadlines. Interested businesses should review the original notices immediately, particularly those closing in the coming days.

Bookmark this page and check back for more government, NGO and development-sector contract opportunities across Nigeria.

Editorial note: Tender notices and deadlines can be amended or withdrawn. The information in this roundup is based on listings available on 5 November 2026. Confirm the latest status and obtain the complete official bidding documents before applying.

Education

FG to Provide N2bn to 40 Tertiary Institutions For Commercial Farming

The Federal Government has announced plans to provide up to N2bn in financing to each of 40 tertiary institutions to establish commercial farms under the Renewed Hope Tertiary Agricultural and Entrepreneurship Programme.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during a meeting with heads of selected institutions and the management of the Bank of Agriculture to discuss the programme’s implementation.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the initiative is designed to mobilise more than 500,000 hectares of underutilised land across tertiary institutions for commercial agricultural production, research and enterprise development.

Alausa said participating universities, polytechnics and colleges of education would be expected to provide approximately 1,000 hectares each, while institutions with smaller landholdings could qualify based on the viability of their business proposals.

Under the arrangement, each participating institution would establish a limited liability company to partner with the Bank of Agriculture, which would provide between N1bn and N2bn in financing for agricultural production and related inputs.

The minister said the initiative was aimed at addressing the underutilisation of agricultural land in tertiary institutions by providing access to financing, machinery, technical expertise and institutional support.

He added that previous interventions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund had provided N1bn for some institutions and N2bn for others, while the Federal Ministry of Education had allocated N20bn in its capital budget to support 20 tertiary institutions under the agricultural development initiative.

On mechanisation, Alausa said participating institutions would have access to 10 tractors each at significantly reduced costs through the government’s agricultural mechanisation initiative.

The support package would also include modern seedlings, farm implements, irrigation equipment, water pumps, fertilisers and technical expertise to improve productivity.

To guarantee markets for farm produce, the minister said arrangements would be made with produce aggregators to purchase harvested crops, while measures would be introduced to minimise post-harvest losses.

He said the programme would extend beyond primary agricultural production to processing and other agro-allied businesses, creating a value chain around participating institutions.

Alausa added that students, unemployed graduates, alumni, academic and non-academic staff, as well as members of host communities, would be encouraged to participate in commercial farming under the supervision of lecturers and agricultural experts.

According to him, the initiative would provide students with practical agricultural experience, promote entrepreneurship and enable participants to benefit from the economic returns generated by the farms.

The minister projected that the programme could attract investments running into trillions of naira in the coming years, while repositioning tertiary institutions as centres of agricultural innovation, commercial production and enterprise development.

The development comes amid persistent food security challenges in Nigeria. The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimated that 36.3 million people faced acute food insecurity during the June-August 2026 lean season.

In its September 2026 country brief, the FAO reported that Nigeria’s annual food inflation rose for the sixth consecutive month to 20.3 per cent in July, compared with 8.9 per cent in January.

The organisation attributed pressures on food production and prices partly to rising agricultural input and transportation costs, insecurity disrupting farming activities, conflict-related restrictions on access to farmland, high fertiliser prices and adverse weather conditions.

Nigeria’s agricultural sector also faces structural challenges, including limited access to modern farming equipment, inadequate financing, weak processing capacity and post-harvest losses.

Business

MoMo Outlines Steps for Beneficiaries to Access FG’s ₦50,000 Relief Support

MoMo Payment Service Bank (PSB), operated by MTN, has outlined steps for beneficiaries selected under the Federal Government’s National Emergency Relief andStabilisationIntervention (NERSI) to accept and access their ₦50,000 financial support.

The payment service provider said newly selected beneficiaries who received an official confirmation SMS could follow its instructions to complete the process and receive the funds.

According to MoMo, beneficiaries are required to give consent through a USSD code and open a MoMo account before accessing the funds credited to their wallets.

To accept the support, beneficiaries who received an official confirmation SMS are required to dial 6710# to provide consent.

Those without a MoMo account can download the application or dial *671# and follow the instructions to register.

Once the funds are credited, beneficiaries can access the ₦50,000 through their MoMo accounts.

The provider stressed that the relief support is free and warned beneficiaries against paying anyone to facilitate access to the funds.

It also cautioned recipients against clicking links claiming to activate payments or disclosing their personal identification numbers (PINs), one-time passwords (OTPs) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs).

MoMo noted that only individuals officially selected under the intervention are eligible to receive the support.

Beneficiaries seeking assistance or clarification can contact the provider through its customer service line on 0700-022-2222.

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