FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPANDS POVERTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME TO 3 STATES: OYO, ENUGU, KEBBI
The Federal Government is expanding the 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.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Dr. Abiola Arogundade, says the initiative is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years.
The programme, which began with a pilot phase in Abuja in June 2025, trained participants in cybersecurity, web development and solar energy installation. More than 7,000 applications were received for the Abuja phase, while successful trainees received certificates and training equipment, including laptops.
Under the current national expansion, 200 trainees are expected to benefit in each participating zone, with the skills selected based on local market demand, relevance and the interests of participants.
In Oyo State, training is scheduled to begin on September 28, 2026, and will cover graphics and artificial intelligence design, makeup and fashion designing.
Enugu State will offer training in makeup, solar energy installation and fashion designing, while Kebbi State will provide training in graphics and artificial intelligence design, fashion designing, and agriculture, with a focus on yoghurt production.
Participants will also receive training kits to support them after the programme. These include laptops for graphics and AI trainees, makeup kits, sewing machines and starter kits for fashion designing, as well as fermentation kits for yoghurt production.
The Federal Government says the programme is designed to promote self-reliance, reduce unemployment and underemployment, and create sustainable economic opportunities for Nigerian youths.
OSSAP-TVEE is also calling on state governments, traditional rulers, community leaders and the private sector to support the initiative as it expands to more states across the country.
