The Bank of Industry, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development , has launched the BOI Youth Empowerment Pilot Programme. The programme will provide free vocational and entrepreneurial training to 500 young Nigerians. The programme will be delivered by Sapphital, a Pan-African digital learning and technology company based in Abuja, Nigeria. Sapphital specialises in AI-powered Learning Management Systems, e-learning and custom software solutions. Through the programme, participants will gain practical skills and knowledge to support skill development, enterprise development, entrepreneurship, and future employment.
The pilot will be delivered through the Nigerian Youth Academy, where they will complete short, instructor-led video courses. The courses were selected based on income-generation potential and market demand. Training will cover creative and artisan skills, production and manufacturing skills as well asdigitalskills. In addition to the training, selected participants willhave access to mentorship, practical exposure, and enterprise support opportunities.
Speaking on the launch of the initiative, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment.
“President Tinubu believes that youth empowerment and training are core pillars of national reform. A nation succeeds when its young population are globally competitive. Through this programme, we hope to equip Nigerian youths with the skills and capabilities they need to compete and thrive on a global scale.”
Commenting on the launch, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said: “Young Nigerians are our greatest economic asset, and the Bank of Industry is committed to providing them the tools required to build a brighter future, creating viable enterprises. This pilot is much more than just a training programme.It connects young people to skills, mentorship and real opportunities to start and sustain businesses. Through our partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Sapphital, we are building a model that can bescaled across Nigeria toreach even more young people in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda”.
Arinze Nwafor is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s economy, industry, data, metro, and judiciary. He focuses on highlighting growth, policy, and market challenges shaping Africa’s largest economy. Arinze’s reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, informative, and audience-focused journalism.
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