The Federal Government has introduced a new initiative to help 500 young Nigerians acquire vocational, manufacturing, digital, and entrepreneurial skills, as part of efforts to improve employment opportunities and encourage business creation.
The programme, known as the BOI Youth Empowerment Pilot Programme, is being implemented by the Bank of Industry (BOI) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with digital learning company Sapphital responsible for delivering the training.
Beyond skills acquisition, the initiative is designed to connect participants with mentorship, practical experience and enterprise support to help them secure jobs or establish sustainable businesses.
Training to Focus on Marketable Skills
The programme will be delivered through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), where participants will access short, instructor-led video courses.
According to the programme details, the training areas were selected based on their income-generating potential and relevance to current market demands.
The courses will cover three broad categories:
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Creative and artisan skills: Practical trades that can support self-employment and small business development.
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Production and manufacturing: Skills that can help participants engage in productive activities and develop enterprises.
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Digital skills: Competencies that can prepare young people for opportunities in the technology-driven economy.
Selected participants will also have opportunities to receive mentorship, gain practical exposure, and access enterprise development support.
These additional benefits are intended to help bridge the gap between completing training and applying newly acquired skills in the workplace or running a business.
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Empowerment
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande said the initiative reflects the Federal Government's focus on preparing young Nigerians for employment and entrepreneurship.
He noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu considers skills development and youth empowerment important components of its national reform agenda.
“President Bola Tinubu believes that youth empowerment and training are core pillars of national reform. A nation succeeds when its young population is globally competitive,” Olawande said.
He added that the programme seeks to equip young Nigerians with the capabilities needed to compete and succeed in the global economy.
BOI Targets Enterprise Development
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi, described young Nigerians as a major economic resource whose potential could be unlocked through appropriate training and business support.
He explained that the initiative goes beyond conventional classroom learning by linking participants to opportunities that could help them establish and sustain viable businesses.
“Young Nigerians are our greatest economic asset, and the Bank of Industry is committed to providing them the tools required to build a brighter future, creating viable enterprises,” Olusi said.
He added that the programme combines skills development with mentorship and practical opportunities to support participants' transition into entrepreneurship.
Olusi also said the partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sapphital could provide a model for expanding similar interventions across the country under the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda.
Sapphital to Deliver Digital Training
Abuja-based Sapphital, a Pan-African digital learning and technology company, will oversee the delivery of the programme.
The company specialises in e-learning, artificial intelligence-powered learning management systems and customised software solutions.
Its involvement will enable participants to access structured training through the Nigerian Youth Academy's digital learning platform.
The approach is intended to make skills development more accessible while allowing participants to learn through short, instructor-led video courses.
What the Programme Means for Young Nigerians
The initiative comes amid continued efforts to improve youth employability, promote entrepreneurship and expand access to practical skills across Nigeria.
For participants, the combination of vocational training, digital education and enterprise support could create pathways into employment, self-employment and small business ownership.
The programme also aligns with the Bank of Industry's broader development objectives, which include supporting industrial growth, job creation, poverty reduction and economic diversification.
However, the pilot's impact will depend on how effectively participants apply their training, access available support and convert their skills into sustainable sources of income.
With an initial target of 500 beneficiaries, the initiative is expected to provide a foundation for a potentially wider skills development programme if the model proves effective.
Source: Leadership
