IMPACT OF N POWER PROGRAMME ON YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This research examined N-power programme as a veritable tool for youth empowerment in Nigeria. As the nation is
presently experiencing challenges of unemployment, insecurity, and high rate of poverty, the study observed that one
of the most efficient ways to empower the youth is through N-power programme. The study took a critical look at the
benefits of N-power programme such as provision of individual with adequate training that will enable creativity and
innovative relevance to skill
acquisition which
encourages selfemployment and selfreliant. The programme
reviewed some techniques
of acquiring skills which includes industrial training exercise, workshop/seminar, excursion and this aid in the
empowerment of youth and consequently eradication of poverty and extreme hunger. The study identified challenges
facing N-power programme such as inadequate funding, lack of trained teachers, and non- availability of equipment.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
N-Power is a youth empowerment scheme sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria. N-Power addresses the
challenge of youth unemployment by providing a structure for large-scale and relevant work skills acquisition and
development while linking its core and outcomes to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the larger
economy. N-Power aspires to provide a platform where most Nigerians can access skills acquisition and
development. N-Power is designed for Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35. The modular programmes
under N-Power will ensure that each participant will learn and practice most of what is necessary to find or create
work.
However, Nigeria, a country with an estimated population of 170 million people (NBS, 2013) is well endowed with
abundant human and natural resources and a favorable geographical location in the world map. The current global
financial crisis has impacted negatively on the macro and micro levels of the economy of Nigeria. As at present, the
situation has poses serious threats and challenges to both government and well meaning citizens. Nigeria like most
developing nations of the world is faced with myriad of problems which include youth and graduate unemployment,
high rate of poverty, conflict and diseases, insincerity, over-depending in foreign goods, low economic growth and
development, lack of capacity and skills needed to move the economy forward and urbanization. Unemployment has
become a major problem bedeviling the lives of Nigerian Youth causing frustration, dejection and depending on family
members and friends. The high rate of unemployment among the youths in Nigeria has contributed to the high rate of
poverty and insecurity in the country (Ajufo, 2013). More than half of the Nigerian population is under the age of 30
according to the National Population Commission (2013). Awogbenle and Iwuamad(2010) observed from the excepts
of statistics obtained from the National Manpower Board and Federal Bureau of statistics that Nigeria has a youth
population of eighty (80) Million representing 60 percent of the total population of the country. Sixty four (64) Million of
them are unemployed while one million six hundred thousand (1.6 million) are underemployed. According to Ossal
and Nwalado (2012) the need for empowerment programmes started emerging in the mid-1980s, when there were
political instability and inconsistencies in the socio-economic policies of successive government, high level of
unemployment, large scale lay off of workers and early retirements as a result of structural adjusted policies and bad
economic trends. In the face of these challenges there was no encouragement from the federal government for public
and private investors to embark on empowerment activities. These situations pose great challenges to the very
existence of individuals and the national development. To salvage these situations there is need for the training of
educated man and woman who can function effectively in their society in which they live in terms of self-employment
and self-reliant which N-Power programme can provide. Based upon this premise, the study examined N-Power programme as a veritable tool for youth empowerment in Nigeria.
IMPACT OF N POWER PROGRAMME ON YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA