The Plateau State Government has embarked on a significant initiative to empower its youth through skills training and entrepreneurship programs, allocating a substantial ₦2 billion in a supplementary budget for this purpose. This commitment underscores the government’s recognition of youth development as a critical driver of economic growth and social progress. The funding is earmarked to bolster various sectors, including agribusiness, information and communication technology (ICT), and the creative industry. The government’s strategic focus on ICT is evident in its ambition to establish Plateau State as a prominent technology hub within Nigeria, a vision further solidified by the donation of the Joseph Gomwalk House as a dedicated ICT center. This initiative aligns with the growing global trend of leveraging technology for economic diversification and job creation, particularly amongst the youth demographic.
The state government’s youth empowerment drive is exemplified by its partnership with the Federal Government’s Skills for Wealth initiative. This collaborative effort has resulted in the launch of a comprehensive training program targeting 250 youths selected from across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The program offers training in a diverse range of skillsets, including ICT, fashion design, leatherwork, shoemaking, and bag production. This multi-faceted approach aims to equip participants with marketable skills applicable to various sectors, thereby increasing their employability and potential for self-employment. The program is structured in two batches, spanning the month of September 2025, ensuring a manageable cohort size and facilitating effective learning.
The Plateau State Government’s investment in youth empowerment is characterized by its deliberate and strategic approach. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Musa Ashoms, emphasized the government’s intentionality in empowering young people for wealth creation, highlighting the program’s potential to contribute significantly to the state’s economic development. This proactive approach is crucial for addressing the challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment, which are prevalent in many parts of Nigeria. By providing young people with the necessary skills and resources, the government aims to create a more productive and prosperous future for the state. The program’s focus on entrepreneurship is particularly noteworthy, as it encourages self-reliance and fosters the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are vital engines of economic growth.
The Federal Government’s involvement, through the Skills for Wealth initiative, further strengthens the program’s impact and reach. Deborah Pitmang, the Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, highlighted the program’s exclusive focus on skills acquisition, ensuring that participants receive practical training relevant to current market demands. This emphasis on practical skills is complemented by the provision of start-up kits upon completion of the training, empowering graduates to launch their own businesses or secure employment. This comprehensive approach recognizes the importance of not only equipping young people with skills but also providing them with the necessary tools and resources to translate those skills into tangible economic opportunities.
The positive feedback from program participants underscores the initiative’s effectiveness and relevance. John Davou, a trainee in the ICT program, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to acquire digital skills, recognizing their potential to open doors to various opportunities in the rapidly expanding digital world. This sentiment reflects the growing awareness among young people of the importance of digital literacy in the modern economy. The program’s focus on ICT aligns with the global trend of increasing digitalization, preparing participants for the demands of the 21st-century workplace and empowering them to participate actively in the digital economy.
In conclusion, the Plateau State Government’s ₦2 billion investment in youth empowerment represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges of unemployment and fostering economic growth. The partnership with the Federal Government’s Skills for Wealth initiative, the diverse range of training offered, and the provision of start-up kits demonstrate a comprehensive and strategic approach to youth development. The program’s emphasis on ICT and entrepreneurship aligns with global trends and positions participants for success in the modern economy. The positive feedback from trainees further validates the program’s effectiveness and its potential to transform the lives of young people in Plateau State, contributing to a more prosperous and dynamic future for the region.
