FG hands 700 Oyo youths laptops, sewing machines, targets 5m Nigerians

The Federal Government has empowered 700 youths in Oyo State with laptops, sewing machines, makeup kits and other business equipment as part of its plan to lift five million Nigerians out of poverty over the next four years.

The beneficiaries received the items after completing a 10-day intensive training programme under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE).

The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Kensington Adebutu Hall, University of Ibadan, marked the conclusion of the exercise, which commenced on September 28.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on TVEE, Dr Abiola Arogundade, said the initiative was designed to tackle poverty by equipping young Nigerians with practical skills, productive tools and opportunities to establish sustainable livelihoods.

She said the programme reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to moving Nigerians out of poverty through skills acquisition and economic empowerment rather than dependence on handouts.

“What we want to do, and what the President wants to do, is to move as many people out of poverty as possible,” Arogundade said.

“Mr President believes that our young people do not simply need assistance. They need opportunity. They need skills. They need the tools to compete and build sustainable livelihoods. And that is what today represents.”

The presidential aide explained that the intervention focused on developing vocational and digital capabilities that could enable beneficiaries to participate in the economy, establish businesses and create employment opportunities for others.

AI, fashion, makeup featured in training

Giving a breakdown of the programme, Arogundade disclosed that 30 participants received specialised training in artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics design, while 85 were trained in makeup artistry and another 85 in fashion design.

She added that 500 participants received digital devices to support their entry into the expanding digital economy.

The beneficiaries were presented with practical enterprise tools, including laptops, makeup sets, sewing machines and digital tablets, to enable them to apply the knowledge acquired during the training.

Arogundade urged the graduates to use the equipment to establish viable businesses and improve their economic circumstances.

She also encouraged them to share their knowledge with others in their communities, stressing that the benefits of the programme should extend beyond the initial beneficiaries.

“What you receive today is not the destination. It is the beginning. Take the skills you have learnt. Take the tools you have received, and build something with them,” she said.

The presidential aide advised the participants against treating the empowerment as an individual benefit, urging them to train their neighbours and other community members while continuing to improve their skills.

She said such an approach would create a multiplier effect, allowing the programme to reach more people and contribute to wider poverty reduction.

Olubadan commends FG, praises Arogundade

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has commended the Federal Government for the initiative, describing it as a positive step towards reducing poverty and addressing youth unemployment.

Ladoja made the remarks when Arogundade led a delegation on a courtesy visit to his palace ahead of the graduation ceremony.

The monarch praised the presidential aide for her role in implementing the scheme and urged other public officials to emulate her commitment to grassroots empowerment.

“It’s a very good initiative, and we are very proud of Arogundade,” Ladoja said.

“I would also like to encourage many people in her position to emulate her, because this will go a long way in empowering people and reducing poverty in our society.”

The monarch expressed optimism that programmes providing young Nigerians with practical skills and resources could help improve their livelihoods and contribute to economic development.

Experts highlight opportunities in digital economy

Resource persons at the training emphasised the importance of equipping young Nigerians with skills relevant to emerging technologies and changing labour market demands.

The keynote speaker and Principal Consultant, Mrs Oluronke Shonubi, said introducing participants to artificial intelligence would help prepare them for opportunities in the evolving global economy.

She noted that countries such as the United States and China were investing heavily in AI across sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and automobile production.

Shonubi commended the Federal Government for exposing young Nigerians to the technology, particularly its ethical application, saying the knowledge could expand their career and entrepreneurial prospects.

Similarly, Rukayat Muhammad, a vocational instructor who facilitated the makeup artistry training, said the skill remained commercially viable and could provide beneficiaries with opportunities to establish successful businesses.

She advised participants to improve their expertise and adopt effective marketing strategies to attract customers and grow their enterprises.

Muhammad also urged the beneficiaries to treat the equipment provided as investments in their economic independence.

Beneficiary targets career in AI

One of the beneficiaries, Olaleye Idowu, a 400-level International Relations student at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, commended the Federal Government for addressing the skills gap among young people.

Idowu, who participated in the AI and graphics design training, said the programme introduced participants to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, its applications and its potential to improve work efficiency.

He expressed optimism about building a career in the technology sector, saying he hoped to become a professional AI prompt engineer within five years.

The beneficiary also pledged to train and employ others as his career developed, in line with the programme’s emphasis on extending the benefits of empowerment to more Nigerians.

The graduation ceremony attracted several political figures and stakeholders, including the All Progressives Congress governorship hopeful in Oyo State, Senator Alli Sharafadeen Abiodun, and his deputy, Hon Michael Adesoji Adedeji.

Others in attendance included the senator representing Oyo Central, Yunus Abiodun Akintunde; the Oyo State APC Women Leader and Tinubu Torch Bearers coordinator, Dr Adekemi Felicia Opatunde; and the Southwest Federal Constituency coordinator, Hon Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo.

FG plans nationwide expansion

Following the completion of the Oyo State exercise, which came after an initial pilot phase in Abuja, OSSAP-TVEE announced plans to extend the NPRGS programme to other geopolitical zones.

The office said subsequent phases would target 1,200 participants each, with training tailored to the specific needs and economic opportunities of different regions.

The planned expansion is expected to widen access to vocational education, digital skills and enterprise support as the Federal Government pursues its target of lifting five million Nigerians out of poverty over the next four years.

The programme seeks to connect skills acquisition with income generation, business development and job creation, with beneficiaries encouraged to use the training and equipment to build sustainable livelihoods and create opportunities for others.