The Federal Government has graduated 18 rescued Chibok girls from a vocational skills programme, providing entrepreneurship grants, starter packs and additional support for their families to promote economic independence.
The Federal Government has graduated 18 rescued Chibok girls from the first batch of its vocational skills acquisition programme, providing entrepreneurship grants and starter packs as part of efforts to support their economic independence and long-term reintegration.
The graduation ceremony was held on Friday in Yola, Adamawa State.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, said the beneficiaries completed training in vocational trades, with 14 specialising in tailoring and four in catering services.
She explained that each of the 18 graduates received a ₦1 million entrepreneurship grant in addition to starter packs to enable them establish their businesses.
The minister also announced that a second batch of 33 rescued Chibok girls currently undergoing vocational training would receive similar support upon graduation.
According to her, another 12 Chibok girls graduating from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in 2026 will each receive a ₦1 million entrepreneurship grant, while an additional 21 students expected to graduate in 2027 will benefit from the same intervention.
Suleiman-Ibrahim further disclosed that the Federal Government would extend support to the families of the rescued girls.
She said 221 parents of the Chibok girls would each receive ₦200,000, while additional empowerment items, including deep freezers, sewing machines and industrial machines, would be distributed to improve their livelihoods.
“We are working to ensure that every survivor has not only the opportunity to recover but also the platform to lead, innovate and prosper,” the minister said.
She encouraged the beneficiaries not to allow their past experiences to define their future.
“Your identity is not your pain; your identity is your purpose. The world once knew your story because of a heartbreaking event. From today, let the world know you because of your excellence, your achievements, your creativity and your contributions,” she added.
The Adamawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mr. Neido Kofulto, commended the Federal Government for rescuing the girls and providing them with opportunities to acquire practical vocational skills. He urged the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge gained during the training to build sustainable businesses and become self-reliant.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Modibbo Adama University (MAU) Consultancy Services, Prof. Ibrahim Danjuma, congratulated the graduates on successfully completing the programme. He expressed confidence that the vocational training would equip them to become successful entrepreneurs and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.
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