The Federal Government made a generous investment of N100 million into the aspirations of 200 dynamic Nigerian youths, carefully selected nationwide to fuel their journey towards economic empowerment.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade, presided over the distribution of these grants at an inspiring ‘Unlock Training’ event held in the heart of Abuja.
Arogundade clarified that among the beneficiaries, 120 were fresh talents eager to embark on their entrepreneurial ventures, while the remaining 80 were seasoned individuals seeking financial backing to scale up their existing businesses.
These grants were the culmination of a six-week campaign initiated by the presidency, where youths were encouraged to showcase their skills, aspirations, and how government support could catalyze their ambitions through minute-long video submissions.
In addition to the financial aid, participants were equipped with invaluable insights into crafting robust business plans and adept money management skills during the training period.
Speaking to the press post-ceremony, Arogundade underscored the commitment of the government, particularly President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit across the nation.
In a parallel development, Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, unveiled plans to revamp the National Youth Service Corps Scheme, revealing intentions to allocate substantial funds towards supporting over 5,000 corps members in their entrepreneurial endeavors, with an estimated N10 million investment. A dedicated task force will soon be appointed to oversee the scheme’s evolution and modernization.