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, aimed at helping beneficiaries establish businesses and become economically self-reliant.

The beneficiaries were drawn from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and underwent two weeks of intensive training at more than 230 accredited centres.

According to the National Programme Manager, N-Power, Dr Nsikak Okon, the government has deployed GPS technology and a dedicated monitoring system to track beneficiaries and ensure that the equipment is properly utilised. A portal and call centre have also been established to monitor participants and address challenges.

The training covered various trades, including automobile technology, agriculture, baking and confectionery, carpentry, catering, electrical installation, fashion design, plumbing, welding, masonry, hospitality, jewellery making and vulcanising.

Okon disclosed that each beneficiary also received ₦60,000 as transport allowance for the two-week training period.

The NSIPA National Coordinator and CEO, Badamasi Lawal, said some of the equipment being distributed had remained in government warehouses for more than five years before being recovered, refurbished and deployed to the newly trained beneficiaries.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, said the programme was designed to move vulnerable Nigerians from temporary relief towards sustainable livelihoods. He urged beneficiaries to put their new skills and equipment to productive use.

The Federal Government said the broader objective is to support job creation, reduce poverty and enable beneficiaries to establish income-generating businesses.