Empowerment of 3,000 young business owners by Niger
Niger State has embarked on an ambitious capacity-building initiative, aiming to train 10,000 young entrepreneurs, particularly young women, between the ages of 18 and 35. Dubbed the 'Transforming Nigerian Youth' (TNY) project, this initiative is a collaborative effort between the Niger State Government, the MasterCard Foundation, and the Enterprise Development Centre.
Launched in March, the TNY project is currently underway, with over 2,000 young entrepreneurs already receiving online training, and nearly 1,000 trained physically in the first batch. The training program is designed to transform the mindset of these young entrepreneurs, moving them from the informal to the formal market, and providing them with access to markets.
Alhaji Shehu Bwari, Coordinator of Entrepreneurship at the Ministry for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, has praised the TNY project, calling it one of the best initiatives to come to the state. He believes that the training will help young entrepreneurs build their capabilities for owning successful and sustainable businesses.
The training program includes capacity building, mentorship for three months, and assistance with business registration for those yet to do so. Following the completion of their training, 50 First Class graduates have already been employed as Business Development Service Providers, working with small business startups and existing businesses, providing them with the necessary support.
One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Hamza, expressed her appreciation for the training, stating that it has provided her with new ideas on how to grow her business. Another beneficiary, Fatima Abdullahi, expressed her gratitude for the initiative and stated that she sees herself as one of the biggest business owners in the state in the next five years.
Governor Umaru Bago of Niger has been commended for his human capital development initiatives, especially for women and youths. Hajiya Hauwa Bako, Special Adviser to the governor on Social Investment Programme (SIP), made these statements at a 3-day training session in Minna.
The TNY project is part of Niger State's broader capacity-building efforts, with the state government having trained 3,000 young entrepreneurs on financial literacy and business management skills. Mr Yusuf Christopher, Project Coordinator at Enterprise Development Centre, emphasized the importance of the TNY project, stating that it will play a significant role in empowering young entrepreneurs and contributing to the state's economic growth.
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