The Niger State Government has trained 3,000 young entrepreneurs in financial literacy and business management as part of its drive to empower youths and boost economic growth.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Investment Programme, Hajiya Hauwa Bako, said the three-day training, held in collaboration with MasterCard Foundation and the Enterprise Development Centre, is part of the ‘Transforming Nigerian Youth’ (TNY) initiative launched in March. The programme targets 10,000 youths, particularly women aged 18 to 35, through both online and physical sessions.
Bako explained that 2,000 participants have already completed online training, while almost 1,000 were trained physically in the first batch. She added that the scheme aims to shift young entrepreneurs from informal to formal markets, expand their access to opportunities, and provide ongoing support.
She also revealed that 50 First Class graduates trained in May as Business Development Service Providers are now assisting start-ups and small businesses in the state.
Alhaji Shehu Bwari, Coordinator of Entrepreneurship at the Ministry for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, described the initiative as one of the most effective youth development programmes in the state.
Project Coordinator at the Enterprise Development Centre, Yusuf Christopher, said participants will also receive three months of mentorship, with assistance in business registration for those yet to formalise their ventures.
Beneficiaries, including Fatima Abdullahi and Fatima Hamza, praised the programme for equipping them with the skills and ideas to grow sustainable businesses, with Abdullahi expressing confidence in becoming a leading entrepreneur in the state within five years.
