The Federal Government has launched another phase of its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRDS) training and empowerment programme in Oyo State, targeting five million Nigerians for poverty reduction through skills acquisition, artificial intelligence (AI), vocational training and entrepreneurship.
The initiative, which commenced in the Federal Capital Territory before expanding to other states, is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to equip Nigerians with practical skills, improve employability and create sustainable income-generating opportunities.
Speaking at the programme in Ibadan on Monday, September 28, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), Dr. Abiola Arogundade, said the initiative was designed to help millions of Nigerians escape poverty within the next four years.
“What we want to do, and what the President wants to do, is to move as many people out of poverty as possible,” Arogundade said.
She explained that the programme goes beyond conventional training by connecting beneficiaries to organisations, business opportunities and other platforms that could enable them to begin earning a livelihood immediately after completing their training.
Arogundade disclosed that 200 participants were undergoing training in Oyo State, while 500 devices were being provided under the intervention, bringing the direct empowerment target to 700 beneficiaries.
She, however, stressed that the programme’s impact was expected to extend beyond the immediate beneficiaries through a multiplier effect, urging participants to share their knowledge and skills with others in their communities.
According to her, the national target is to lift five million Nigerians out of poverty over the next four years, with various government offices and ministries collaborating to implement the strategy across the country.
The 10-day training programme, scheduled to run from September 28 to October 9, 2026, combines technology-driven learning with practical vocational skills and entrepreneurship development.
Arogundade urged participants to attend all sessions, take the training seriously and continuously improve their skills, describing them as potential agents of change in their communities.
“Don’t use it as a one-man solution or one-man empowerment. There’s a multiplier effect. Train your neighbours, train your community people, and also continue to impact and learn more,” she advised.
AI Training Targets Emerging Skills Gap
A major component of the programme is training in artificial intelligence, with experts highlighting the growing importance of digital skills in the global economy.
The principal consultant of P4 Change Consultants and keynote speaker, Mrs. Oluronke Shonubi, said countries such as the United States and China were investing heavily in AI applications across manufacturing, agriculture, automobile production and other sectors.
She commended the Federal Government for investing in the upskilling of young Nigerians, particularly in the responsible and ethical use of AI.
Shonubi said the training would equip participants with knowledge they could apply to their careers, develop professional portfolios, establish businesses and improve their competitiveness in the labour market.
She added that AI skills could open up opportunities for self-employment while helping young Nigerians meet the changing demands of employers.
The consultant called for sustained investment in AI training and public awareness, noting that many Nigerians were still unfamiliar with the technology and its practical applications.
She stressed the need for more training opportunities to enable Nigerians to adapt to rapid technological changes and take advantage of emerging economic opportunities.
Beneficiary Eyes Career in AI Engineering
One of the beneficiaries, Olaleye Idowu, a graphic designer and 400-level International Relations student of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, described the programme as an opportunity to upgrade his skills and deliver greater value to his clients.
Idowu said the opening day’s sessions introduced participants to the fundamentals of AI, its applications, benefits and potential to improve productivity.
He disclosed that he had previously considered transitioning fully into the technology sector and saw the programme as an opportunity to begin building the skills required to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
The beneficiary commended the Federal Government for the initiative, saying it could help bridge the gap between the skills young people possess and those demanded by the modern labour market.
Looking ahead to the next five years, Idowu said he hoped to become a professional AI prompt engineer and pledged to train and employ others as he advanced in his career.
85 Participants to Graduate as Certified Makeup Artists
Beyond digital technology, the Oyo intervention is also equipping beneficiaries with vocational skills, including professional makeup artistry.
A makeup artist and Chief Executive Officer of Chuchu’s Glamour, Rukayat Muhammad, who is serving as a trainer, said participants were being trained in makeup techniques, product selection, sanitation and the fundamentals of professional makeup artistry.
She disclosed that 85 participants were expected to graduate as certified makeup artists, with equipment and products to support their transition into professional practice.
According to her, makeup artistry remains a viable vocation through which beneficiaries can establish businesses and earn sustainable incomes, provided they practise consistently, improve their skills and market their services effectively.
Muhammad urged participants to approach the training with commitment, describing the knowledge and equipment they would receive as investments in their future.
She also commended the Federal Government, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on TVEE and other officials involved in the initiative for supporting the programme.
She disclosed that the national intervention would be extended to other states, with applications for subsequent training programmes to be made available online.
Muhammad added that the skills offered would vary from state to state, depending on the needs and structure of each programme.
Building Sustainable Livelihoods Through Skills and Enterprise
The Ibadan phase of the NPRDS intervention brings together digital technology, vocational training and entrepreneurship as part of the Federal Government’s strategy to expand economic opportunities and reduce poverty.
By combining practical training with equipment support and potential access to employment and business opportunities, the programme seeks to help beneficiaries translate newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative also places emphasis on community-level impact, encouraging participants to pass on their knowledge, train others and create opportunities for additional people to benefit.
With a national target of five million Nigerians over four years, the Federal Government is positioning skills development and entrepreneurship as key components of its poverty-reduction drive.
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