Tinubu's Poverty Alleviation Drive: 700 Oyo Graduates Get Skills, 5 Million Nigerians Targeted

The Federal Government has initiated a nationwide expansion of its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, aiming to lift approximately five million Nigerians out of poverty over the next four years. As part of this extensive program, 700 young individuals in Oyo State recently completed training, receiving vocational skills, digital tools, and startup kits to foster entrepreneurship.

Dr. Abiola Arogundade, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education, announced this development during a graduation ceremony held at the Kensington Adebutu Hall, University of Ibadan, on Friday. Arogundade emphasized that this initiative reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to combating poverty by enabling economic self-reliance, rather than solely relying on direct financial aid.

She stated, “What we want to do, and what the President wants to do, is to move as many people out of poverty as possible. Mr President believes that our young people do not simply need assistance. They need opportunity. They need skills. They need the tools to compete and build sustainable livelihoods. And that is what today represents.”

The training phase, which ran from September 28 to October 9, 2026, concluded with the Friday graduation event. Participants were awarded essential enterprise equipment designed to facilitate their transition from training into income-generating endeavors. This intervention, managed by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education, seeks to reduce unemployment, bridge existing skill gaps, and empower beneficiaries to establish businesses and contribute to the digital economy.

Detailing the Oyo phase of the program, Dr. Arogundade explained that “30 participants received specialised instruction in artificial intelligence and graphics design, while 85 were trained in make-up artistry and another 85 in fashion design. A further 500 participants will receive digital devices to support their participation in the expanding digital economy.”

Depending on their area of specialization and the support provided, beneficiaries received items such as laptops, make-up kits, sewing machines, and digital tablets. Arogundade encouraged the graduates to leverage this support to build enduring livelihoods and share the benefits of their training with others in their communities.

She advised, “What you receive today (Friday) is not the destination. It is the beginning. Take the skills you have learnt. Take the tools you have received, and build something with them. Don’t use it as a one-man solution or one-man empowerment. There’s a multiplier effect. Train your neighbours, train your community people, and also continue to impact and learn more.”

Mrs. Oluronke Shonubi, the keynote speaker and Principal Consultant, highlighted the significance of training young Nigerians in artificial intelligence, given its increasing integration into various sectors by major global economies. She observed, “Countries such as the United States and China are investing heavily in AI across sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and the automobile industry.”

Rukayat Muhammad, the make-up artistry instructor, also spoke, emphasizing that the skills acquired during the program could pave the way for financial independence if properly honed and promoted. She affirmed, “Make-up artistry remains a marketable vocation, and beneficiaries can build successful businesses if they develop their skills and effectively market themselves.” Muhammad further advised the trainees to view the government-provided equipment as an investment in their economic future, urging them to utilize it to establish and expand their enterprises.

Addressing the graduates, Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Oyo State, underscored that the training should form a bedrock for economic self-sufficiency. He urged them to embrace entrepreneurship, enhance their competencies, and use their newfound knowledge to generate employment for themselves and others. Alli stressed the importance of initiatives that equip young people with practical skills and tools for business creation in addressing unemployment and alleviating poverty. He added that the intervention's impact would be maximized if beneficiaries translated their training into viable businesses.

Alli stated, “I urge all the beneficiaries to make the best use of this opportunity. The training and equipment provided are not just gifts; they are tools to build sustainable businesses, achieve financial independence and create employment for others.”

One of the beneficiaries, Olaleye Idowu, a 400-level International Relations student at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, shared that the AI and graphics design training had provided him with a foundational understanding of the technology and its potential applications.