The Federal Government has commenced another phase of its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, NPRDS, training and empowerment programme in Oyo State, targeting five million Nigerians for skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and technology training.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, TVEE, Abiola Arogundade, disclosed this on Monday in Ibadan during the commencement of the programme.
Ms Arogundade said the initiative was designed to equip Nigerians with practical skills and connect them to opportunities that could enable them to earn sustainable incomes.
According to her, the programme, which began in the Federal Capital Territory, is being extended to different states as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce poverty and expand economic opportunities.
“What we want to do, and what the President wants to do, is to move as many people out of poverty as possible,” she said.
She said the programme went beyond training, as beneficiaries would also be connected to organisations and business opportunities that could help them begin earning income after completing their training.
Ms Arogundade said 200 people were being trained in Oyo State, while 500 devices were being provided under the current intervention, bringing the number of direct beneficiaries to 700.
She, however, said the expected impact would extend beyond the direct beneficiaries through a multiplier effect, urging participants to share the skills acquired with others in their communities.
The presidential aide said the national target was to help five million people move out of poverty within four years, adding that various government offices and ministries were involved in implementing the programme across the states.
She said the training would run for 10 days, from September 28 to October 9, 2026, while the broader poverty-reduction initiative would continue across the country.
Ms Arogundade urged beneficiaries to attend all training sessions and continue upgrading their skills after the programme.
She advised them to see themselves not only as beneficiaries but also as potential agents of change who could train others and contribute to poverty reduction in their communities.
“Don’t use it as a one-man solution or one-man empowerment. There’s a multiplier effect. Train your neighbours, train your community people, and also continue to impact and learn more,” she said.
Programme includes AI training
The programme also featured training in artificial intelligence, with the principal consultant at P4 Change Consultants and keynote speaker, Oluronke Shonubi, highlighting the growing demand for AI skills globally.
Ms Shonubi said countries such as the United States and China were investing heavily in AI across sectors including manufacturing, agriculture and automobile production.
She commended the Federal Government for investing in the upskilling of young Nigerians, particularly in the responsible and ethical use of AI.
According to her, participants should be able to apply the knowledge acquired to their careers, develop professional portfolios and establish businesses or improve their employability.
She said AI skills could provide opportunities for self-employment while making beneficiaries more competitive in the labour market.
Ms Shonubi called for sustained investment in AI training and public awareness, saying many Nigerians were still unfamiliar with the technology and its responsible applications.
