FG rolls out N120 Billion Youth Training Fund, eyes 60,000 Beneficiaries in 3 Months

In a bold move to combat Nigeria’s rising youth unemployment, the Federal Government has launched a N120 billion fund to support companies capable of training 60,000 young Nigerians within just three months.

The initiative was unveiled during the Adolescent and Youth Ministerial Dialogue on Wellbeing, Health, and Development in Abuja. The programme promises hands-on skills training for vulnerable youths and starter packs to help them transition into the workforce immediately upon completion.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, represented by Prof. Ali Idris, emphasized that the initiative will target young Nigerians across all six geopolitical zones, with a focus on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other underserved groups.

“If you have a registered company capable of training at least 60,000 people within three months, the ministry will pay that company,” Prof. Ahmad said. “Trainees will also receive starter packs upon completion.”

This programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to address Nigeria’s unemployment crisis by empowering youths with sustainable skills. Prof. Ahmad added that the programme is shaped with direct input from young Nigerians themselves.

“We are working with young people to identify the areas they consider most critical,” she explained. “Once stakeholders meet, we move to implementation.”

The government is betting heavily on vocational and digital training, given the economic challenges, rising inflation, and youth disenchantment with traditional job paths. This is part of a broader effort to close Nigeria's skills gap through various initiatives.

Alongside this training programme, other key efforts include the Digital Literacy for All project, aiming to train 30 million Nigerians, and the DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme, focusing on 20,000 youths in data science and AI.

Jonathan Abakpa, Programme Officer for Plan International Nigeria, stressed the importance of youth-centered policy, noting that youth-led advocacy has pushed for increased budget allocations in education and health. However, he called for urgent action on issues like early marriage and teenage pregnancy.

As the government opens the door for companies ready to train thousands, the initiative offers a potential turning point for young Nigerians seeking opportunities in the workforce.