FG splashes N500,000 on 200 youths

The Federal Government’s Unlock Training Programme has presented grants of N500,000 each to 200 exceptional young individuals who submitted impressive business proposals.

The grant is to address youth unemployment and promote entrepreneurship, empowering them to transform their innovative ideas into successful ventures and drive economic growth.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (SSAP-TVEE), Abiola Arogundade, involved a six-week campaign encouraging Nigerian youths to showcase their technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills through one-minute video submissions. Following this, 10,000 participants underwent intensive training on writing and executing business plans.

“At the end of that campaign, we trained about 10,000 participants in a 10-day intensive training session on how to write and execute business plans,” Arogundade explained.

The participants, both online and physical, received training on various aspects of business planning, including executive summaries, business overviews, marketing strategies, pricing, and risk management. They were then tasked with submitting their business plans for evaluation.

Arogundade emphasized that the purpose of the programme was to harness the economic potential of youths and contribute to national development. She highlighted the significance of supporting skills acquisition and enterprise among Nigerian youths.

In addition to the grants, Arogundade’s office also honored 80 individuals excelling in technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills, providing them with further support to expand their businesses.

Expressing optimism about the impact of the grants, Arogundade urged recipients to utilize the funds effectively to propel their businesses forward. She assured participants that the government remained committed to supporting skills acquisition and enterprise development across the nation.

Certificates of Completion were awarded to all participants, facilitating the registration of new start-ups with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Providus Bank was also present to issue incorporation certificates and credit the winners with their grants.

Furthermore, solar kiosks designed for various businesses were distributed to select winners to bolster their entrepreneurial endeavors. These kiosks, equipped with amenities such as phone charging sockets and POS spaces, reflect the government’s commitment to job creation and economic empowerment.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, praised Ms. Abiola Arogundade for her innovative approach and encouraged the grant recipients to make the most of this opportunity.

The beneficiaries, overwhelmed with appreciation, thanked President Tinubu for instilling hope and providing tangible support to young individuals. They acknowledged the programme’s invaluable contribution to fostering entrepreneurial spirit and skills, and encouraged their peers to embrace entrepreneurship with passion, hard work, and perseverance.