morgANABLE technology/Startups
The vocational training covered a wide range of trades, reflecting the programme’s aim of equipping participants with skills that are relevant to local economic needs.
KaNo—
The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of starter packs to 18,510 Nigerians trained under the first batch of the Renewed Hope Vocational and Skills Training Programme, a flagship initiative of the National Social Investment Programme Agency aimed at promoting self-reliance and job creation.
The beneficiaries, drawn from across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, completed a two-week intensive training programme at more than 230 accredited centres nationwide, where they acquired practical skills in various vocational trades.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the programme in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Programme Manager of N-Power, Dr Nsikak Okon, said the Federal Government had deployed technology-driven mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability and effective monitoring of beneficiaries.
He disclosed that a centralised digital portal had been created to capture the details of all participants, allowing authorities to track their locations and monitor the utilisation of the starter packs distributed to them.
“We are using technology. We have already opened a portal where all the beneficiaries are enrolled. We know their location, we track them. It is a system that ensures we know exactly where each participant is,” Okon said.
According to him, the agency has also introduced GPS tracking and a dedicated call centre to provide real-time support and resolve any issues encountered by beneficiaries as they begin to use their tools.
“We are using GPS to ensure that every participant is monitored and that they are making proper use of the programme. We also have a call centre where agents will interact with beneficiaries to ensure they do not face challenges. If there are issues, we have put mechanisms in place to address them promptly,” he added.
Okon explained that the monitoring framework was designed not only to track beneficiaries but also to promote transparency in the distribution process.
He noted that each participant could access detailed information about their assigned starter pack through the portal.
“Nothing is hidden. Everything is on the portal. Beneficiaries can see what is in their starter pack, and if there are deficiencies or defects, they can reach out through the call centre. We have also communicated with all the training centres to report any issues so that they can be resolved quickly,” he said.
Training Covers Wide Range Trades
The vocational training covered a wide range of trades, reflecting the programme’s aim of equipping participants with skills that are relevant to local economic needs.
Other areas included fashion design and sewing, grinding machine operation, and vulcanising and tyre services, among others.
In addition to the technical skills acquired, participants were also trained in entrepreneurship development, financial literacy, business planning and customer relations to enable them to establish and sustain viable businesses.
“Government has been very supportive in terms of transportation. The N60,000 allowance was provided to help participants commute to the training centres daily, as they had to be present from morning until evening for the duration of the programme,” he said.
The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of NSIPA, Badamasi Lawal, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to restore productive assets and expand economic opportunities for Nigerians.
Lawal noted that many of the tools being distributed had been in storage for over five years before the Federal Government initiated their recovery, refurbishment and redistribution.
“These items have been lying idle for more than five years. Today, over 18,000 Nigerians have been trained and are receiving these tools to create jobs and build livelihoods. This aligns with the President’s agenda of strengthening social interventions for national development,” he said.
Programme Designed To Equip Beneficiaries
He emphasised that the programme was designed to go beyond skills acquisition by ensuring that beneficiaries are equipped with the resources and knowledge required to translate their training into sustainable income-generating activities.
“This initiative is a deliberate effort to move people beyond temporary support and invest in their productive capacity. It is about enabling Nigerians to live dignified and prosperous lives through their own efforts,” Doro said.
He explained that the programme is part of a broader framework known as the “One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response” system, which aims to provide a structured pathway for individuals from social assistance to economic independence.
“Under this system, every Nigerian on the National Social Register is placed on a pathway that begins with registration, followed by skills acquisition, access to productive assets, enterprise development and ultimately graduation out of poverty,” he said.
Doro added that the distribution of starter packs marked a critical stage in this process, as beneficiaries transition from training to business start-up.
“What you are receiving today is the result of that pathway training completed, tools in hand, and the opportunity to build a business ahead,” he noted.
Minister Commends Federal Government
The minister also commended the Federal Government’s decision to refurbish and redeploy vocational equipment that had been left unused in warehouses across the country, describing it as a prudent use of public resources.
“Rather than allowing these assets to decay, we have restored them and placed them in the hands of Nigerians who will use them productively to create jobs and support their communities,” he said.
He urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the skills and tools provided, stressing that the success of the programme depends largely on their commitment and determination.
Experts say that initiatives combining skills training with access to tools and business support are more likely to produce sustainable outcomes compared to standalone interventions.
They also highlight the importance of continued monitoring and support to ensure that beneficiaries are able to overcome challenges and grow their enterprises.
As the distribution continues across the country, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to expanding the programme and reaching more Nigerians in subsequent phases.
