There are several federal government-backed programmes available to support Nigerian entrepreneurs, students, farmers, women, young people, start-ups and small business owners.

Some of these opportunities focus on equipping youths with globally competitive digital skills, while others focus on equipping young Nigerians with employable skills through expanded non-formal education and vocational training programmes.

All of these opportunities are part of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms to expand opportunities for youth-led enterprises, including easing tax compliance for small businesses, incentivising the digital and creative economy, and building a pipeline of young global service providers.

They are as follows:

1. Student Loan for Tertiary Education: Interest-free loan, payable three years after graduation and upon securing employment. Apply at: portal.nelf.gov.ng/auth/login

2. Technical and Vocational Education (TVET): Free education with a monthly stipend. Learn more at: tvet.education.gov.ng

3. Million Technical Talent (3MTT): Training program for 3 million individuals in IT, with employment facilitation. Register at:

3mtt.nitda.gov.ng

4. Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) Startup Grants: N1 million grants for 200 youth-led startups and N500,000 for 100 informal sector beneficiaries. Learn more at: Africans& Diaspora

yid.fmyd.gov.ng/project

5. NiYA Gig Digital Work Platform: Digital platform linking Nigerian youth to paid opportunities locally and globally. Learn more at:

gigs.niya.gov.ng

6. Youth Investment Fund: Financial support for young entrepreneurs. Learn more at:

yif.gov.ng

7. National Youth Development Bank: Bank providing access to capital for young entrepreneurs. Learn more at:

nydb.gov.ng

8. Digital Literacy for All: Initiative to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027. Learn more at:

digitalliteracy.gov.ng

9. Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP): Program to create 2.5 million jobs through training and entrepreneurship development. Learn more at:

leep.gov.ng

10. NDE Renewed Hope Employment Initiative: Trained and resettled over 33,000 youth with starter packs in vocational skills. Learn more at:

nde.gov.ng

11. CNG-Powered Tricycle Empowerment Scheme – PI-CNG- FMYD Initiative: Distribution of 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles to Nigerian youth. Learn more at:

cngtricycle.gov.ng

12. Yo! Health Youth Initiative: National campaign promoting health and wellness among youth. Learn more at: yohealth.gov.ng

13. Ministry of Steel Development Youth Bootcamp: Training youth in metallurgy, industrial welding, and mechanical design. Learn more at:

steeldevelopment.gov.ng

14. Nigeria Health Fellowship: Trained and employed 774 youth to strengthen the healthcare workforce. Learn more at:

healthfellowship.gov.ng

15. Reimagining Hope Creative Residency: Empowering young creatives in film, music, fashion, and tech industries. Learn more at:

reimagininghope.gov.ng

16. NextGen Resilience Corps: Youth mobilisation initiative for climate change, environmental sustainability, and local innovation. Learn more at:

nextgenresilience.gov.ng

17. Stockholm Junior Water Prize Nigeria: Competition for Nigerian teens to innovate in water management and environmental sustainability. Learn more at: Africans& Diaspora

sjwpnigeria.gov.ng

18. SMEDAN Creative & Garment Studios: Empowering Nigerian youth in the creative economy and the fashion industry. Learn more at:

smedan.gov.ng

19. NDDC Youth Entrepreneurship Fund: N30 billion committed to youth entrepreneurship in the Niger Delta. Learn more at: nddc.gov.ng

20. AfDB $100 Million Loan for Youth and Women-Led Enterprises: Targeting over 38,000 youth-led businesses with capital and business support. Learn more at: afdb.org

Update news