The Presidency is expanding skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes as part of a non-kinetic strategy to tackle insecurity, reduce youth vulnerability to criminal recruitment and create sustainable economic opportunities across Nigeria.
The Presidency is expanding skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training as part of efforts to address the socioeconomic factors contributing to insecurity, with a focus on empowering vulnerable youths and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The initiative is designed to complement conventional security operations through vocational education, economic inclusion and community-based interventions aimed at reducing crime and promoting lasting peace.
Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with retired Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka A. Famadewa, the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security.
The meeting focused on areas of collaboration between the two offices, particularly the role of economic empowerment, employability and sustainable livelihoods in strengthening national security.
Arogundade said the proposed partnership would promote cooperation between the offices to expand opportunities for citizens, improve awareness and encourage productive engagement.
“This partnership seeks to strengthen cooperation between both offices in empowering our people, broadening their awareness, and creating sustainable opportunities for their positive engagement,” she said.
She added that the initiative was intended to steer vulnerable individuals away from criminal activities while supporting the development of a safer and more empowered society.
Under the proposed collaboration, the TVEE office will seek to reduce the vulnerability of unemployed and economically disadvantaged youths to recruitment by criminal networks.
The initiative recognises that poverty, unemployment, limited access to vocational training and social exclusion can increase the challenges facing vulnerable communities.
By expanding access to practical skills and entrepreneurship opportunities, the programme aims to help young Nigerians develop employable competencies, establish businesses and pursue legitimate sources of income.
The presidential aides agreed on the importance of combining military and law enforcement operations with education, vocational training and economic inclusion to address insecurity more comprehensively.
The approach is expected to support community resilience and social stability by providing alternatives to criminal activities and improving access to sustainable livelihoods.
Famadewa stressed the need for a comprehensive security strategy that incorporates non-kinetic interventions and addresses the underlying socioeconomic factors contributing to insecurity.
His office also focuses on strengthening intelligence coordination and surveillance, improving border security, identifying potential threats and establishing effective protocols for reporting and responding to security incidents.
The proposed partnership would complement these measures by addressing the economic and social challenges that can undermine community safety.
The collaboration reflects an approach that treats national security not only as a law enforcement responsibility but also as an issue requiring investment in education, economic opportunity and community development.
The initiative aligns with the Tinubu administration’s stated efforts to connect education, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities with broader national security objectives.
By promoting technical and vocational education alongside entrepreneurship training, the Presidency aims to create pathways to employment, strengthen local economic participation and support long-term peacebuilding.
If effectively implemented, the collaboration could help vulnerable youths access practical training and livelihood opportunities while complementing the work of security agencies.
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