The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched an initiative aimed at lifting five million young Nigerians out of poverty through skills acquisition and empowerment programmes. The programme, part of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), seeks to equip young Nigerians with practical, market-relevant skills to enhance their economic independence and create opportunities for self-employment. This move is designed to promote sustainable livelihoods, boost employability, and encourage entrepreneurship among young Nigerians.
The initiative was unveiled by Abiola Arogundade, Senior Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, in Ibadan, Oyo State. Arogundade disclosed that the programme had begun in the Federal Capital Territory and had moved to Oyo State, with plans to extend it to other states and geopolitical zones. The programme aims to empower young Nigerians through technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education, in line with President Bola Tinubu's commitment to addressing the economic challenges facing young Nigerians.
In the Oyo State phase of the programme, 200 young Nigerians are receiving training in graphics and artificial intelligence (AI), makeup artistry, and fashion designing. Specifically, 30 beneficiaries are undergoing training in graphics and AI, while 85 each are being trained in makeup artistry and fashion designing. The training is designed to equip participants with practical skills that will enable them to establish sustainable businesses and become economically self-reliant.
Beyond the training, the Federal Government plans to provide digital devices and other support to help beneficiaries establish sustainable businesses. A total of 500 tablets will be distributed at the grand finale of the programme, bringing the number of direct beneficiaries of the training and digital empowerment components to 700. This move is part of the Federal Government's digital empowerment drive, aimed at enhancing the employability and entrepreneurial prospects of young Nigerians.
Arogundade urged participants to take advantage of the training, stressing that the skills acquired should not only improve their personal livelihoods but also enable them to create opportunities for others in their communities. She emphasized that the programme reflected President Tinubu's commitment to addressing the economic challenges facing young Nigerians through practical interventions. The presidential aide encouraged participants to do their best and to know that President Tinubu is thinking about all Nigerians, particularly young Nigerians, and is ready to address their plights.
The keynote speaker for the graphics and AI training, Oluronke Shonubi, noted that the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence presented opportunities for Nigeria to accelerate development and prepare young people for emerging employment opportunities. She emphasized that equipping young Nigerians with digital skills would help improve their employability and enable them to adapt to changing labour market demands. Beneficiaries of the programme, including Idowu Olalere, Iyabo Ajayi, and Fatunbi Joshua, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for providing an opportunity to acquire emerging digital skills and commended the government for the initiative.
At the end of the programme, participants are expected to receive laptops, sewing machines, and fully equipped makeup kits to enable them to establish businesses and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The initiative is part of the Federal Government's broader efforts to promote inclusive economic growth, expand access to vocational education, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for young Nigerians. The programme is expected to have a multiplier effect, empowering not only the direct beneficiaries but also their communities and the broader population.
Key points
- The Federal Government targets to lift five million young Nigerians out of poverty through skills acquisition and empowerment programmes.
- The programme aims to equip young Nigerians with practical, market-relevant skills to enhance their economic independence and create opportunities for self-employment.
- The initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu's commitment to empowering Nigerians through technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education.
