FG Expands National Poverty Reduction Programme to Oyo, Enugu, Kebbi

Federal Government intensifies youth skills development drive under Renewed Hope Agenda

The Federal Government has expanded the implementation of 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 poverty nationwide.

The initiative, being implemented through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE), is a flagship Federal Government programme targeting the lifting of 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years through economic growth, skills development and targeted social protection.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on TVEE, Dr. Abiola Arogundade, said the programme represents a major pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which recognises Nigerian youths as critical drivers of the country’s economic transformation.

According to her, the administration believes that young Nigerians are not the problem confronting the country but a significant part of the solution.

Abuja Pilot Records Strong Interest

The NPRGS commenced its pioneer cohort in Abuja on June 30, 2025, with an intensive 10-day training programme covering cybersecurity, web development and solar energy installation.

Arogundade described the pilot phase as a major success, noting that participants who initially approached the programme with reservations completed the training with practical and marketable skills.

She said participants built their first websites, acquired basic digital security knowledge and received laptops and certificates upon completion.

The Abuja programme attracted more than 7,000 applications, underscoring the strong demand among young Nigerians for opportunities in technical and vocational skills development.

Programme Expands Across Geopolitical Zones

Following the success of the Abuja pilot, the Federal Government is now extending the programme to different geopolitical zones of the country.

The current phase will provide training for 1,200 Nigerian youths, with each participating zone hosting 200 trainees for intensive sessions lasting between 10 days and two weeks.

Training areas are selected according to local market opportunities, relevance and the preferences of beneficiaries.

Oyo State

In the South-West, training in Oyo State is scheduled to commence on September 28, 2026, and will run for two weeks, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Participants will receive training in:

• Graphics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) design
• Makeup
• Fashion designing

Enugu State

Enugu State, one of six designated training hubs, will provide training in:

• Makeup
• Solar energy installation, including panel installation, maintenance and off-grid solutions
• Fashion designing

Kebbi State

In the North-West, Kebbi State will provide training in:

• Graphics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) design
• Fashion designing
• Agriculture, particularly yoghurt making, including dairy processing, packaging and small-scale agribusiness

Trainees to Receive Starter Kits

The Federal Government will provide each participant with a complete training kit to support the transition from training to enterprise.

The kits include laptops for Graphics/AI trainees, fully equipped makeup kits for makeup trainees, sewing machines and starter kits for fashion-design trainees, and fermentation kits for beneficiaries trained in yoghurt production.

The NPRGS is designed to equip Nigerian youths with practical and marketable skills, reduce unemployment and underemployment, promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance, and contribute to the national objective of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years.

Arogundade also called on state governments, traditional rulers, community leaders and private-sector organisations to partner with the Federal Government to ensure the success and wider reach of the programme as it expands to more states.