FG trains Enugu youths in AI, solar installation

The Federal Government on Wednesday commenced training for 150 youths in Enugu State in Artificial Intelligence (AI), solar installation and fashion design under its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).

The phased programme, which is being implemented across the country’s six geopolitical zones, aims to tackle unemployment and poverty by equipping beneficiaries with practical skills and starter packs to launch businesses, build sustainable livelihoods and achieve self-reliance.

It is coordinated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The two-week intensive training in Enugu is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to lift five million Nigerians out of poverty.

Addressing participants, Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to the President on TVEE, said the initiative reflected the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commitment to empowering youths across the country.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), Dr Abiola Arogundade, with some of the participants. Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Arogundade described the South-East as an important part of the programme, adding that the choice of Enugu demonstrated the government’s commitment to inclusive empowerment.

“Our expectation is that the beneficiaries will attend the training every day, learn as much as possible and gradually begin to lift themselves out of poverty,” she said.

Arogundade said the programme had been implemented in some geopolitical zones, including the South-West and North-Central, adding that it would be extended to other parts of the country.

On sustainability, she said the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning had established a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to track beneficiaries’ progress.

She said the ministry would assess participants after six months and one year to determine how effectively they were utilising their acquired skills and equipment.

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, commended President Bola Tinubu for the initiative, describing it as a significant intervention in youth empowerment and poverty reduction.

He said the programme complemented the state government’s efforts to promote entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and economic development.

Also speaking, the Director of the Macroeconomic Analysis Department, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Felix Okonkwo, said the initiative aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the training covered AI, solar installation and fashion design, with participants expected to receive equipment to establish their businesses.

He said the government was shifting emphasis from temporary financial assistance to sustainable economic empowerment through vocational training and entrepreneurship.

“Instead of giving people N5,000, N8,000 or N10,000 as cash transfers, we believe that equipping them with skills and supporting small-scale businesses will provide a more sustainable means of reducing poverty,” he said.

He said the 150 beneficiaries were selected through an open application process advertised on social media and radio stations.

The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to equip Nigerians with marketable skills, promote sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty through vocational training and entrepreneurship.