FG Approves N75bn For Establishment Of Nigeria Youths Investment Funds – Minister
The Federal government dedicated the sum of N75,000,000,000.00 (Seventy-five Billion Naira) for the establishment of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund for the period of 2020 – 2023 for the purpose of investing in the innovative ideas, skills and talents of Nigerian Youth.
Minister of Youths and sports development, Mr. Sunday Dare who disclosed this on Friday at the closing ceremony of national digital skills development training for unemployed youths at national youth development centre, Ode-omu, Osun state said his Ministry has developed practical and market relevant digital skills acquisition for Youths from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal capital territory.
The Minister who was represented by Mr. Segun Oke, Director of Procurement said the efforts are in tandem with the commitment of president Muhammadu Buhari to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty adding that no fewer than 133 participants in the training programme would go home with a laptop each.
He noted that it is a clear demonstration of the determination and commitment of all to one of the potential strategies at reducing the rate of youth unemployment, poverty and restiveness, especially among the youth and the attendant vices plaguing our nation.
The minister stressed that access to 21st century skills in technology, digital and ICT by the youth will improve productivity, create employment opportunities and global networking that meet global labour market.
His words: “The more reason the skill areas covered by this training vis-à-vis Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Programming, Digital Marketing, Web Design among others are strategically chosen to build the capacity and support our unemployed youth to become relevant in the business of the present century. “
He added that, “the NYIF offers a special window through which young people can access capital support for their businesses in addition to training and mentorship and will target youth within the age group of 18 years to 35 years with innovative ideas to start new businesses or grow existing business enterprises.”
“We enjoin our youth to explore the opportunity created by the fund to support their business ideas. I am pleased to announce to you that considerable number of youth population have benefitted and will continue to benefit from the fund. The gestures are clear demonstration of commitment of the government to support the acquisition of livelihood skills among the youth.”
“You may wish to note that, my Ministry in the last two months, in the area of job and employment creation, has conducted the following skills acquisition and empowerment programmes:A Scale-up Training for Vulnerable Youth Entrepreneurs from the 36 States and the FCT at National Youth Development Centre, Odeomu, Osun State from February 6 – 18, 2022,
National Skills Development Training for Vulnerable youth (Youth Living with disabilities) at National Youth Development Centre, Jos, Plateau State from February 6 – 18, 2022,
“Training of `Youth leading to Enterprise in different Technical Skills for Youths in 6 geo-political zones (Technical Skills 9ja Project) at NDLEA Academy, Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State from February 20 – March 4, 2022,Youth in Agricultural Empowerment Programme for Unemployed Youth from 36 States and the FCT implemented at the National Youth Development Centre, Jos, Plateau State for participants from Northern part and the FCT and at National Youth Development Centre, Odeomu, Osun State for participants from Southern part of the country from February 20 – March 4, 2022, he submitted.
