Analyzing the Utility of Constructive Government Support for Nigeria’s N-power Scheme and Entrepreneurial Skills among Nigerian Youths

What the paper says

The N-Power scheme was introduced by the Nigerian government as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and improve youth employability. Despite numerous poverty alleviation and job creation policies implemented by successive administrations, tangible positive out comes have been limited. Distinct from previous initiatives, the N-Power programme emphasizes the development of entrepreneurial skills among beneficiaries, aiming to enhance their capacity for self-employment. Although this initiative has received significant attention and commendation for its focus on addressing youth unemployment, concerns persist regarding its practical utility and sustainability. Through document analysis and observational methods, this paper finds that while N-Power provides beneficiaries with entrepreneurial training, it does not offer initial capital support. As a result of the training, although participants acquire entrepreneurial skills that may facilitate access to decent work, the absence of financial support limits their ability to establish their own enterprises. Furthermore, the study reveals that the N-Power scheme functions primarily as an empowerment programme but does not ensure safe, secure, or decent working conditions. While it addresses the issue of inadequate or mismatched skills among Nigerian youth, it also exacerbates the challenge of political patronage, whereby unqualified political affiliates are rewarded over trained N-Power graduates. The paper concludes that the effectiveness of the N-Power scheme in reducing unemployment depends largely on the genuine commitment and constructive support of the government.