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Entrepreneur Admission Elegibility

Entrepreneur Admission Eligibility

At the National Entrepreneurship Research Institute (NERI), we uphold a structured framework for selecting high-potential entrepreneurs seeking to benefit from our enterprise support programs and research-driven incubation initiatives. To qualify for admission, prospective entrepreneurs must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • The business must be grounded in a technology-driven product, research-based solution, or innovative service with clear value addition.
  • Applicants must complete and submit the official Pre-Incubation Program Application Form.
  • Entrepreneurs must demonstrate readiness to participate in NERI’s technical assistance initiatives and engage with our ecosystem of research, business support, and industry mentors.
  • Applicants must show evidence of minimal capital sufficiency for business take-off, as detailed in their application.
  • The venture must show strong potential for job creation, local economic development, and long-term sustainability.
  • The business operations must align with sustainable development goals, particularly environmental friendliness.
  • Founders must commit to advancing NERI’s mission of inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship research.
  • All participants must operate transparently and collaboratively within the NERI community, including submitting progress reports as required.

NERI reserves the right to adjust or expand these eligibility criteria to align with its evolving research agenda and incubation priorities.

Admission Requirements

To proceed with the application, the following requirements must be met:

  • A non-refundable application fee of ₦5,000.
  • Submission of ten (10) completed copies of the pre-incubation application form.
  • Vetting of all applications by the NERI Admission Committee.
  • Issuance of an official admission decision, subject to the approval of the Board.
  • Acknowledgment and acceptance of the admission offer by the applicant.

Admission Process

A. Pre-Incubation Stage (6 Months)

NERI’s Pre-Incubation Program identifies early-stage entrepreneurs and helps refine their ideas through research-guided support. The process includes:

  1. Distribution of applications to the technical evaluation committee.
  2. Interviews conducted using NERI’s proprietary scorecard framework.
  3. Compilation and forwarding of interview outcomes to the Board for final decision.
  4. The Board will issue one of three outcomes:
    • Admission into the 6-month Pre-Incubation Program
    • Request for Resubmission, with identified areas of improvement
    • Rejection, with no resubmission pathway
  5. Admitted applicants are required to sign a formal admission letter within five (5) days.
  6. Entrepreneurs who fail to submit monthly pre-incubation progress reports may face eviction from the program.

B. Full Incubation Stage (3 Years):

Upon successful completion of the Pre-Incubation stage, entrepreneurs may advance to the main Incubation Program. Conditions include:

  • Fulfillment of all eligibility and pre-incubation requirements.
  • Submission of a comprehensive business plan following NERI’s prescribed outline.
  • Final evaluation and scorecard review by the Board.
  • Admission into the 3-year full Incubation Program (or Rejection with no resubmission).

Note: Allocation of physical incubation units or other infrastructure is contingent on successful completion of the Pre-Incubation phase.

Apply Now

Entrepreneur Admission Form

Entrepreneurship Application Form
  • PERSONAL DETAILS
  • PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
  • SUBMISSION MATERIALS
  • ETHICAL & LEGAL DECLARATIONS
  • FINAL DECLARATION & SIGNATURE
SECTION 1: PERSONAL DETAILS
SECTION 2: PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
SECTION 3: SUBMISSION MATERIALS
SECTION 4: COUNCIL INTEREST & ENGAGEMENT
SECTION 5: ETHICAL & LEGAL DECLARATIONS
SECTION 6: COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES
SECTION 7: FINAL DECLARATION & SIGNATURE

I hereby declare that the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that submission does not guarantee acceptance and that all applications are subject to vetting by the Membership and Ethics Committee. I accept ITA’s terms of engagement, privacy policy, and community guidelines.

  • Digital Signature
  • Full Name
  • Date of Submission