The Federal Government plans to lift five million young Nigerians out of poverty through skills acquisition and empowerment programmes, beginning with the training of 200 beneficiaries in Oyo State.
The Federal Government has announced plans to lift five million young Nigerians out of poverty through skills acquisition and empowerment programmes aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.
The initiative, being implemented under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), seeks to equip young Nigerians with practical, market-relevant skills to improve their employability and support entrepreneurship.
Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE) and coordinator of the programme, disclosed this on Monday in Ibadan during the commencement of its Oyo State phase.
The training, which began on September 28, will run until October 9.
Arogundade said the programme was part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to empowering Nigerians through technical, vocational and entrepreneurial education.
She explained that the initiative, which commenced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had moved to Oyo State and would be extended to other states and geopolitical zones across the country.
Under the Oyo State phase, 200 young Nigerians are receiving training in graphics and artificial intelligence (AI), makeup artistry and fashion design.
Of the participants, 30 are undergoing training in graphics and AI, while 85 each are receiving training in makeup artistry and fashion design.
Arogundade said the programme was designed to go beyond skills acquisition by connecting beneficiaries with organisations and business opportunities to help them establish sustainable livelihoods.
She disclosed that the Federal Government would distribute 500 tablets during the programme’s grand finale as part of its digital empowerment drive.
According to her, the initiative would directly empower 700 people through the training and distribution of digital devices, with the potential for wider benefits in their communities.
She urged participants to take the training seriously and use the skills acquired to support themselves and empower others.
Arogundade also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating opportunities for young Nigerians to become economically self-reliant through practical training and entrepreneurship development.
Earlier, the keynote speaker for the graphics and AI training, Mrs Oluronke Shonubi, said the growing adoption of artificial intelligence presented opportunities for Nigeria to accelerate development, improve employability and prepare young people for emerging jobs.
One of the beneficiaries, Idowu Olalere, a 400-level student of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), commended the Federal Government for providing young Nigerians with opportunities to acquire emerging digital skills.
Olalere said the training would help bridge the gap between existing skills and the changing requirements of the labour market.
Two other beneficiaries, Mrs Iyabo Ajayi, a makeup trainee, and Fatunbi Joshua, a fashion design trainee, also expressed appreciation for the opportunity.
They said they were optimistic that the initiative would help reduce unemployment by equipping participants with practical skills and opportunities for self-employment.
At the end of the training, participants are expected to receive laptops, sewing machines and fully equipped makeup kits to support their entrepreneurial activities and establish sustainable businesses.
The programme is part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to promote inclusive economic growth, reduce poverty and expand opportunities for young Nigerians through technical and vocational education.
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