The Federal Government has expanded its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) to Oyo, Enugu and Kebbi states as part of efforts to equip Nigerian youths with practical skills, promote entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment.
Key Highlights
- NPRGS expanded to Oyo, Enugu and Kebbi states.
- 1,200 youths are expected to benefit from the initial nationwide rollout.
- Training will focus on practical, marketable and locally relevant skills.
- Oyo beneficiaries will learn graphics and AI design, makeup and fashion designing.
- Enugu training will cover makeup, solar energy installation and fashion designing.
- Kebbi participants will receive training in graphics and AI design, fashion and agribusiness.
The initiative is being implemented through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE).
Senior Special Assistant to the President on TVEE, Dr Abiola Arogundade, said the programme is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She stressed that Nigerian youths should be viewed as part of the solution to the country’s challenges rather than as a problem.
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NPRGS Pilot Attracted Over 7,000 Applications
The NPRGS began its pilot phase in Abuja on June 30, 2025, with a 10-day intensive training programme in cybersecurity and web development, alongside a solar energy installation upscaling track.
According to Arogundade, the Abuja pilot attracted more than 7,000 applications.
She said participants who initially had reservations about the programme completed the training with practical skills, including website development and basic digital security.
The graduates were also provided with laptops and certificates of completion.
Following the outcome of the Abuja pilot, the Federal Government is extending the programme across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Under the current phase, each designated training hub will accommodate 200 trainees for intensive programmes lasting between 10 days and two weeks.
Courses will be selected based on local market demands, relevance and the interests of participants.
A total of 1,200 youths are expected to benefit from the initial nationwide rollout.
Oyo Training to Begin September 28
In Oyo State, representing the South-West zone, training is scheduled to commence on September 28, 2026.
The programme will run daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for two weeks.
Participants will receive training in graphics and artificial intelligence (AI) design, makeup and fashion designing.
Enugu, Kebbi Get Specialised Skills Training
In Enugu State, one of the designated training hubs in the South-East, beneficiaries will be trained in makeup, solar energy installation and fashion designing.
The solar energy component will cover panel installation, maintenance and off-grid solutions.
In Kebbi State, representing the North-West zone, the programme will focus on graphics and AI design, fashion designing and agriculture.
The agricultural training will include yoghurt production, dairy processing, packaging and small-scale agribusiness.
FG to Provide Training Kits, Starter Equipment
The Federal Government said participants would receive complete training kits to enable them to put their newly acquired skills into practice after the programme.
Graphics and AI trainees will receive laptops, while makeup trainees will receive fully equipped makeup kits.
Fashion designing beneficiaries will receive sewing machines and starter kits, while participants undergoing yoghurt production training will receive fermentation kits.
The programme is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical and marketable skills, reducing unemployment and underemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance, and supporting the national objective of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within a decade.
OSSAP-TVEE also called on state governments, traditional rulers, community leaders and private-sector organisations to partner with the Federal Government as the programme expands to more states across the country. For more updates, follow us on X.
