Youth empowerment programs are essentially designed to encourage the youthful population to take charge of their lives by improving their access to resources and transforming their virtues and consciousness. In Nigeria, there have been various empowerment programs directed towards the improvement of social skills, advancement of self-efficacy and civic efficacy of the young citizenry.
This is a list of Youth Empowerment Programs in Nigeria:
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African Youth Empowerment Nigeria (AYEN)
The objectives of the African Youth Empowerment Nigeria are centered on the provision of training to the young population through avenues that may include, workshops, seminars and vocational programs. Beneficiaries of the African Youth Empowerment Nigeria Programme also achieve educational and financial support. The African Youth Empowerment Nigeria partners with local benefactors and coordinated associations in the discharge of its responsibilities to the youths.
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Diamond-Crest For Youth Education Foundation
This program recognizes the role education plays in channeling the positive energy of the young folks, to benefit themselves and the society at large, and consequently engage in providing young ones with the education required of them to conveniently attain positive socio-economic status, imbibe resilence and industry, and have satisfying lives, with aspirations and prospects.
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Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS)
The Graduate Internship Scheme is an element of the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Program (Sure-P). The intentions of the Graduate Internship Scheme involve reducing the vulnerability of young Nigerian graduates without employment by improving employability through internship programs in pre-selected institutions.
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LEAP Africa
LEAP Africa identifies that the actualization of Africa’s potential lies with the development of young adults by the provision of the skills and tools necessary to attain personal and community transformation. LEAR Africa collaborates with funding, implementing and technical partners in various community change projects for young people, leadership programs at secondary schools, and entrepreneurship support to the young population.
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National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
The National Youth Service Corps was established on May 22, 1973, with the objectives of contributing to accelerated growth of the economy, encouraging skills acquisition for self-reliance, and the development and promotion of unity and national integration among Nigerian graduates. The National Youth Service Corps through the Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Department (SAED) facilitate the sensitization, training and mentoring of Nigerian graduates in skill acquisition through definitive curriculum in-camp skill acquisition exercises, provision of avenues where graduates could access funding opportunities, among other roles aimed at empowerment.
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New Era Foundation
New Era Foundation was created in 2000 with the intent of achieving the following but not exhaustive objectives; promoting public awareness on environmental health, engaging in sensitizing exercises on nation-building, organizing learned competitions amongst young people hence conceiving the habit of healthy rivalry. Beneficiaries of the program also enjoy network opportunities for personal development and growth.
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N-Power
This is a youth empowerment program controlled by the National Social Investment Management System (NASIMS) with supervisory oversight of the Federal Ministries which include; Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. N-Power was created with the goal of alleviating unemployment among youths of 18 to 35 years, and the development of social development by preparing youths with relevant skills and certifications for the emerging global markets. Graduates and non-graduates that are within the stipulated age range are qualified to participate in the program.
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Presidential Youth Entrepreneurship Support (P-YES)
This program was set up to cater to the unemployment of youths in the country with focus-driven strategies aimed at providing training and subsequent entrepreneurship support to enable the youth start-up small and medium enterprises. The Bank of Industry in conjunction with the Ministry of Youths and Student Affairs ensures that these objectives are achieved.
- Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P)
This was established in 2012 during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration after the removal of subsidy on Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS). This program sought to provide support on crucial infrastructure and social safety net programs that have a direct impact on the population. This program provided beneficiaries with employment opportunities through internship programs, and other benefits, from the share savings from the removal of fuel subsidies.
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Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is aimed at dealing with poverty alleviation and the creation of sustainable employment for the youths. This goal is achieved by providing beneficiaries with superb business training, mentorship, transnational networking, and grants up to $5000. The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is aimed at igniting the entrepreneurship potentials of young Nigerians, and Africans that benefit from the program.
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Trader Moni
This initiative was established to boost the economy by providing unemployed youths, persons living with disabilities, marginalized women, petty traders and other vulnerable groups in the society with access to finance. The Bank of Industry (BOI) is responsible for providing this category of persons with a non-refundable loan of up to NGN 50,000. Beneficiaries also stand to enjoy value chain and digital e-platform to enable wider reach for their products.
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Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative
The Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative is pledged with the responsibility of educating, encouraging, and empowering young people in the country by employing established and proven approaches and strategies. For over 10 years, the impact of this initiative has positively affected beneficiaries in terms of counseling on health-related issues, seminars for the young, and distribution of supplies such as bed nets. The initiative partners with Grassroot Soccer, and other collaborating sponsors in training young people to become mentors using sport-themed activities in educating the masses.
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Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN)
YOUWIN was launched in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration with objectives focused on youth empowerment by financing exceptional business plans for aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigeria. With the supervisory oversight of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communication and Technology, Ministry of Youth Development and the Ministry of Women Africa, YOUWIN ensures equity contribution into the businesses of selected awardees who possess outstanding business plans.
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Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria (YISA)
The Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture is focused on the encouragement of youths interested in venturing into the agricultural line of business by providing them with the basic things that are required for one to commence agricultural business.