The Federal Government has commenced the expansion of its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy across Nigeria, targeting about five million Nigerians for poverty reduction over the next four years. This initiative reflects President Bola Tinubu's determination to tackle poverty by creating opportunities for economic independence rather than relying solely on direct assistance. The government trained 700 youths in Oyo State, equipping them with vocational skills, digital devices, and business starter kits.
The training programme, which ran from September 28 to October 9, 2026, culminated in a graduation ceremony held at the Kensington Adebutu Hall, University of Ibadan, on Friday. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Dr Abiola Arogundade, said the initiative aimed to move as many people out of poverty as possible by providing them with skills, tools, and opportunities to compete and build sustainable livelihoods.
Under the Oyo phase, 30 participants received specialised instruction in artificial intelligence and graphics design, while 85 were trained in make-up artistry and another 85 in fashion design. A further 500 participants will receive digital devices to support their participation in the expanding digital economy. The beneficiaries received laptops, make-up kits, sewing machines, and digital tablets, depending on their areas of training and the support provided.
Dr Arogundade urged the graduates to use the intervention to build sustainable livelihoods and extend the benefits of their training to other members of their communities. She encouraged them to take the skills they had learnt and the tools they had received, and build something with them. Arogundade also advised the graduates to train their neighbours and community people, and continue to impact and learn more.
The keynote speaker and Principal Consultant, Mrs Oluronke Shonubi, said training young Nigerians in artificial intelligence was important as major economies continued to integrate the technology into different sectors. She noted that countries such as the United States and China were investing heavily in AI across sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and the automobile industry.
The make-up artistry instructor, Rukayat Muhammad, said the skills acquired during the programme could provide beneficiaries with a route to financial independence if properly developed and marketed. She advised the trainees to regard the equipment provided by the government as an investment in their economic future and use it to establish and grow their businesses.
One of the beneficiaries, Olaleye Idowu, a 400-level International Relations student at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, said the AI and graphics design training had introduced him to the fundamentals of the technology and its potential applications. Dignitaries at the event included the senator representing Oyo Central, Yunus Akintunde, and the Oyo State APC Women Leader and Tinubu Torch Bearers coordinator, Dr Adekemi Opatunde.
Key points
- The Federal Government targets five million Nigerians for poverty reduction over the next four years.
- The government trained 700 youths in Oyo State, equipping them with vocational skills, digital devices, and business starter kits.
- The initiative aims to address unemployment, bridge the skills gap, and equip beneficiaries to establish businesses and participate in the digital economy.
