By Ayooluwa Ayobami
On Thursday, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, launched a skills training initiative in Lagos to combat poverty and empower young Nigerians with tools for self-reliance.
The initiative, part of the nationwide Skill to Wealth (S2W) programme, kicked off in the South-West geopolitical zone with a three-week training covering agriculture, renewable energy, and the automobile industry.
The programme is being implemented across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and is aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the programme as a shift from mere promises to measurable progress.
He urged participants to take the opportunity seriously, noting that their commitment could alter the course of their lives.
“We are here not just to begin a training programme, but to ignite a movement powered by young Nigerians who are hungry to learn, eager to grow, and ready to build a future that reflects their true potential,” the minister said.
“This is not just a policy intervention—it is the embodiment of the Renewed Hope Agenda. We are moving from poverty alleviation to poverty reduction.”
He added that the training targets three critical sectors for job creation and national development, emphasising that skills in solar energy, agriculture, and auto mechanics would remain essential as Nigeria transitions into a more technologically driven economy.
“One of the biggest threats we face today is that most of the mechanics we have now will go extinct,” he said. “This programme is your moment to rise, work, and earn. One skill, one youth, and one success story at a time.”
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, called the programme a key tool for inclusive economic growth.
He said the focus was on practical training that would empower young people, women, and vulnerable groups to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
“We are not only preparing our citizens for the jobs of today but positioning them as drivers of innovation and enterprise in a better Nigeria of tomorrow,” Kofarmata said. “This programme is not a handout—it is a hand up.”
President and CEO of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Mr. David Daser, praised the Ministry for including the institute in the initiative and encouraged participants to make the most of the rare opportunity.
“Opportunities like this don’t always come on a platter. The success of this programme depends on how each of you uses it,” Daser said, adding that DBI’s facilities would remain available for trainees who wish to expand their knowledge further.
Chairman of the National Youth Council in Lagos State, Mr. Olalekan Adigun, also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and appealed to beneficiaries to seize the opportunity.
“Our youth are serious-minded and ready to maximise this. This is a life-changing programme that can transform entire households,” he said.
One of the participants, Mr. Ridwan Atolagbe, said the training had already opened his eyes to new possibilities. “This has been a great initiative for the youth of this country,” he said.
“I am using this opportunity to engage fully and become somebody in life.”
The Skill to Wealth programme is part of a broader federal strategy to tackle unemployment through hands-on training and entrepreneurship support, with the hope of equipping young Nigerians with the tools to drive their own futures.
