In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and foster entrepreneurship, the Federal Government, through the Unlock Training Programme, has awarded grants of N500,000 each to 120 outstanding youths with promising business plans.
Ms. Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, made the announcement during the official closing ceremony of the Unlock Training Programme in Abuja on Saturday.
The initiative, spearheaded by Arogundade’s office, 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.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, commended Arogundade for the initiative and urged grant recipients to maximize the opportunities presented to them.
In response, some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for providing hope and support to the youth. They praised the programme for its role in nurturing entrepreneurial skills and urged fellow youths to embrace entrepreneurship with diligence and determination.
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