Apply Now: FG Skills Programme Offers Training, Start-Up Tools to Nigerian Youths
The Federal Government is expanding its youth empowerment drive through the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).
Which is offering young Nigerians access to practical skills training, entrepreneurship opportunities and start-up tools designed to support self-employment.
The programme is being implemented by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE) and is being rolled out across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The current phase began in Oyo State on September 28, 2026, with 200 youths selected for intensive training in three areas: Graphics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Makeup and Fashion Designing. The training is scheduled to run until October 9.
The Federal Government says the programme is part of a broader skills and empowerment initiative targeting five million young Nigerians, with the objective of equipping participants with market-relevant skills that can improve their employability and create pathways to entrepreneurship.
What the Programme Offers
Participants in the Oyo phase are receiving hands-on training tailored to their chosen areas of interest.
The 200-person cohort comprises:
- 30 participants in Graphics and AI
- 85 participants in Makeup
- 85 participants in Fashion Designing
Importantly, the initiative goes beyond classroom training by providing beneficiaries with tools to help them establish or expand businesses after completing the programme.
Graphics and AI trainees are expected to receive laptops, while Makeup trainees will receive fully equipped makeup kits.
Fashion Designing participants will receive sewing machines and starter kits to support their transition from training to entrepreneurship.
In addition, the Federal Government plans to distribute 500 tablets to young Nigerians during the programme’s October 9 grand finale as part of its digital empowerment initiative.
Who Can Benefit?
The NPRGS skills initiative is targeted at young Nigerians seeking practical skills that can lead to employment, freelancing, entrepreneurship or income-generating opportunities.
The training areas are selected based on factors including local market demand, relevance and participants’ interests, according to the Presidency.
The programme is also designed to connect beneficiaries with organisations and business opportunities that can help them move from skills acquisition into sustainable livelihoods.
Nationwide Expansion
The Oyo programme forms part of the Federal Government’s wider expansion of the NPRGS skills component following an earlier pilot in Abuja.
The Presidency said the initial nationwide rollout will extend to the six geopolitical zones, with 200 trainees expected to benefit in each participating state, translating to 1,200 beneficiaries in the initial phase.
Other states participating in the rollout are expected to offer training based on their local economic needs. For example, the planned programmes in Enugu and Kebbi include combinations of makeup, solar energy, fashion, graphics/AI and agriculture-related skills.
Application Opportunity
Young Nigerians interested in benefiting from subsequent NPRGS training cohorts should monitor official announcements from OSSAP-TVEE and the Federal Government for application openings, participating states, eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Opportunity: Skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training
Target beneficiaries: Young Nigerians
Training areas: Graphics/AI, Makeup, Fashion Designing and other locally relevant skills
Support: Practical training and start-up tools
National target: 5 million young Nigerians
Current Oyo cohort: 200 beneficiaries
Programme: National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS)
The Federal Government says the broader initiative is intended to use technical, vocational and entrepreneurial education to expand economic participation and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for young Nigerians.
