Yes, YEIDEP (Youth Economic Intervention and De-radicalisation Programme) is a real Federal Government programme run by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development with the Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI). But as of 7 November 2026 we could not find any official announcement that grant payments have started, so its status is unclear. Many “YEIDEP payment” flyers and alerts on social media have been fake.
What it is
YEIDEP was started in 2024 to tackle youth unemployment, poverty and insecurity, mainly through agriculture and its value chain (farming, processing, marketing and trading). Its Coordinator-General is Kennedy Iyere, and it sits under the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
At the programme’s end-of-year meeting in December 2025, officials said:
- The target is 20 million young Nigerians, in phases.
- About 12 million had been registered through partner banks, with about 8 million more to be captured in early 2026.
- Support will be a grant, not a loan, with a minimum of ₦500,000 start-up capital per beneficiary.
- Full rollout was planned for 2026, with a second phase from around mid-2026.
The first disbursement date (20 October 2025) was postponed by YEIDEP itself, and no new official payment date had been announced in the sources we could check.
Who can apply
- Young Nigerians interested in agriculture or other small businesses. Officials say selection is based on interest and capacity.
- Some reports say the age range is 18 to 35. We could not confirm this from an official YEIDEP or ministry document.
- You need valid ID such as your NIN and a bank account opened through a participating bank.
How to apply (the official way)
- Registration has been done through YEIDEP partner banks. The ministry said in September 2025 that nine banks had formally joined. Go to a branch of your bank and ask directly if it is enrolling YEIDEP applicants.
- In some states, registration is also run with state committees or partners (for example Kano, Cross River, and UNIZIK for the South-East Batch B drive in 2026). Ask your state Ministry of Youth Development.
- Follow official updates only from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Information press releases, and reputable newspapers.
We could not confirm a working official YEIDEP website. Do not treat any blog or lookalike site as the “official portal”.
How to spot fake versions
- YEIDEP is free. The Coordinator-General said: “Every benefit or gain relating to YEIDEP is offered free-of-charge.” Anyone asking for a fee is a scammer.
- Bank “partnership” flyers. In 2026 YEIDEP disowned a flyer offering a ₦500,000 grant and training “with Fidelity Bank”. Africa Check also rated it false.
- Fake payment alerts and screenshots. Posts claiming “payment has started” or giving exact alert times have been false. Check your real bank balance, not a screenshot.
- “Extended deadline” graphics. Africa Check found no evidence for viral posts claiming new YEIDEP dates.
- Never share your BVN, PIN or OTP with anyone who says they can “speed up” your grant.
Quick answers
Has YEIDEP started paying the ₦500,000?
We have not found any official statement confirming grant payments as of 7 November 2026. Treat any “payment has started” post as unconfirmed until the ministry announces it.
Is YEIDEP a loan?
No. Officials have said it is a grant that does not need to be paid back.
I got a bank SMS saying my YEIDEP account is active. Does that mean I will be paid?
It means your bank account was opened for the programme. It is not a payment notice or a promise of a grant.
Is Batch B registration open?
Batch B registration drives were reported in some states in April and May 2026. Ask your bank or state youth ministry if enrolment is still running where you live.
Do I need to pay an agent to register?
No. YEIDEP says all its benefits are free. Do not pay anyone.
Sources: BusinessDay: YEIDEP postpones Batch A disbursement (Oct 2025); BusinessDay: YEIDEP sets for large-scale rollout (Dec 2025); Tribune: FG to launch full implementation of YEIDEP in 2026; Federal Ministry of Information: FG rallies stakeholders on YEIDEP; The Guardian: YEIDEP disowns ₦500,000 grant flyer; Africa Check: Fidelity Bank not offering YEIDEP grants.
GrantPilot checks this programme’s official page regularly and will alert you when anything changes.
An experienced reviewer reads your plan or application line by line and sends written feedback within 3 working days: what is strong, what a committee will question, and what to change. ₦40,000 per document.
Every grant, loan, investor and competition you can apply for, sorted by deadline, in one PDF.
Every Monday: new grants, loans and investors you can apply for, and the ones closing soon. Free, and you can unsubscribe any time.
Prefer a PDF? Get the free 2027 Funding Calendar
Put this into practice
Search verified opportunities, score your plan and get deadline reminders — free to start.
