Minna: Niger Government has announced a collaborative initiative to train no fewer than 10,000 youths, with a particular focus on young women, in financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) and the MasterCard Foundation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training, inaugurated as the ‘Transforming Nigerian Youth Programme (TNY)’, aims to equip youths with entrepreneurial business management skills. Mrs. Hauwa Bako, Special Adviser to the Niger Governor on Social Investment Programme, emphasized the programme’s goal to enhance young entrepreneurs’ mindsets for transformation, employability, and management capacity development.
The programme is tailored predominantly for young female entrepreneurs and aspiring businesswomen, offering both online and in-person training sessions to foster the necessary entrepreneurial skills for success. It will provide 60 per cent online and 40 per cent offline training, targeting 80 per cent young female and 20 per cent male entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35.
Mrs. Bako highlighted that the online training is accessible to all Niger residents, with interested individuals encouraged to register via the provided link. The programme’s benefits include business growth and mentorship, support with business registration and branding, job placement, entrepreneurship linkages, and certification.
Mrs. Elizabeth Shaba, the state’s Commissioner for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), clarified that the programme package does not include starter packs, business grants, or loans.
Mrs. Halima Rabiu from EDC explained that the programme could be undertaken entirely online, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. She mentioned that the courses are easy to understand and that there are community physical learning opportunities facilitated by the state government.
Mr. Olawale Anifowose, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at MasterCard Foundation, noted that the programme is specifically designed for 10,000 entrepreneurs in Niger State, with a focus on micro enterprises. He added that it promises to build on past successes by offering an enhanced curriculum covering critical areas such as business planning, financial management, marketing, and digital skills.