The Federal Government is creating new opportunities for young Nigerians through a skills empowerment initiative designed to equip them with practical knowledge, digital abilities and tools to build sustainable livelihoods.
Through the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), 200 youths in Oyo State are set to receive training in skills with potential for employment and entrepreneurship, offering beneficiaries a pathway towards greater economic independence.
The programme, scheduled to run from September 28 to October 9, 2026, is being coordinated with the support of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade.
The beneficiaries will receive practical training in graphics and artificial intelligence (AI), makeup and fashion design. Beyond classroom learning, participants will also be provided with equipment to help them begin applying their newly acquired skills after the programme.
Those trained in graphics and AI will receive laptops, while makeup trainees will be presented with fully equipped makeup kits. Fashion design participants will receive sewing machines and starter kits to support their transition from training to productive work.
The initiative is expected to extend beyond Oyo State, with plans to replicate the programme across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This expansion is aimed at giving more young people access to vocational skills, productive tools and opportunities to develop sustainable sources of income.
A major highlight of the programme will be the graduation ceremony scheduled for October 9, where 500 tablets will also be distributed to young Nigerians as part of the government’s digital empowerment drive.
The combination of training and equipment gives beneficiaries an opportunity to turn their skills into practical ventures, whether through employment, freelancing or small businesses.
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For many young people, access to the right skills and tools can open doors to new possibilities. By connecting vocational education with digital opportunities and starter equipment, the initiative offers a message of hope that young Nigerians can develop skills, pursue their ambitions and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The programme reflects the growing importance of practical and digital skills in creating opportunities for young people and supporting their journey towards more sustainable livelihoods.
