Niger Govt partners EDC, MasterCard Foundation to trains 10,000 youths
From Our Correspondent.
Niger state government in partnership with Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) and MasterCard Foundation has flagged off online Transforming Nigerian Youth Program (TNY) to train 10,000 youths particularly women, on financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills.
Hauwa Bako, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Social Investment Programme (SIP) and Focal Person of National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) at the flag off of the registration with stakeholders in Minna.
She disclosed that the program aimed to equip youths with entrepreneurial business management skills and train youths on financial literacy.
Bako added that the program aimed to enhance mindset transformation, employability, and management capacity development for young entrepreneurs.
“The program is designed for young female entrepreneurs and aspiring businesswomen offering both online and in-person training sessions to foster entrepreneurial skills to succeed.
“The program provide 60 per cent online and 40 per cent offline training, targeting 80 per cent young female and 40 per cent male entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35,” she said.
According to her, the online training is open to all Nigerlites, and interested persons can register via the link: bit.ly/tny25niger.
She said benefits of the program include business growth and mentorship, business registration and branding support, job placement and entrepreneurship linkages, and certification.
In her remarks, Mrs Elizabeth Shaba, Commissioner for Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), noted that the program does not include starter packs, business grants, or loans.
Also speaking, Halima Rabiu from EDC, explained that the program is 100 per cent online, and participants can learn at their own pace.
“The courses are easy to understand, and we have community physical learning for the state government to bring the women together to learn through zones,” she said.
Similarly, Olawale Anifowose, Director Programs and Partnerships, disclosed that the program is for 10,000 women entrepreneurs in Niger State, focusing on micro-enterprises for women who are already in business.
“The program promises to build on past successes, offering an enhanced curriculum that covers critical areas such as business planning, financial management, marketing, and digital skills,” he said.
