Federal Government of Nigeria Awards ₦500,000 Federal Government Grants to Youth Entrepreneurs In Abuja

In a significant move to improve youth entrepreneurship and economic growth and development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has awarded ₦500,000 federal government grants each to one hundred and twenty winners of the Unlock Training Programme for unemployed youths. This initiative aims to foster business startups and enhance the potential of young Nigerians.

Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made this announcement on Saturday during the official closing ceremony of the Unlock Training Programme in Abuja. The event also featured the award of grants, solar kiosks, and certificates of completion to deserving participants.

Abiola Arogundade, said that the unlock training programme was the culmination of a 6 week campaign initiated by her office. During this period, Nigerian youths were invited to submit one-minute videos showcasing their current technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills, as well as their future plans and how they envisioned government support.

“The purpose of the programme is to boost the potential of youths for economic development,” Abiola Arogundade, said. Abiola Arogundade, highlighted that approximately ten thousand participants underwent a ten day intensive training session focused on business plan creation and execution. This training included components such as executive summaries, business overviews, marketing strategies, pricing, money management, and risk management.

Out of these participants, one hundred and twenty winners were selected based on the quality of their business plans and were awarded ₦500,000 federal government grant each. Additionally, eighty individuals received honorary awards for their exemplary performance in technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills, and for their need for support to upscale their businesses.

Abiola Arogundade, expressed optimism that these federal government grants would serve as significant incentives for the recipients, aiding their business growth. Abiola Arogundade, assured that her office would continue to support skills and enterprise development through future programmes.

“We would like to also say that this is one of our many programmes in supporting skills and enterprise and we intend to continue to do so in our office. So, if you are not a winner today, please continue to apply to participate in our future programmes,” Abiola Arogundade, said.

The unlock training programme also saw the distribution of four solar kiosks designed for various business purposes, including hairdressing, catering, food vending, and general services. These kiosks are equipped with phone charging sockets, spaces for POS, and other business utilities, contributing to the job creation projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, congratulated Abiola Arogundade, for the successful execution of the unlock training programme and urged the grant recipients to make effective use of their new resources. Bayo Onanuga, also encouraged youths to embrace skills acquisition as a viable means of livelihood.

Participants expressed their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and acknowledged the life-changing impact of the initiative. Ms. Oluwaseun Kekere-ekun, one of the resource persons, praised the unlock training programme for igniting the entrepreneurial spirit among Nigerian youths and advised aspiring entrepreneurs to start small, dream big, and remain focused.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all participants received Certificates of Completion to assist in registering their companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Providus Bank was also present to issue incorporation certificates and credit the winners with their grants.

This initiative marks a promising step towards empowering Nigerian youths and promoting sustainable economic development across the country.

Source: https://www.gistmania.com/talk/topic,594744.0.html