Abia Flags Off YEIDEP, Targets 1 Million Youth Registrations as FG Announces $3bn Funding

_“Success will be measured by businesses created and jobs delivered” — Abia Govt_

UMUAHIA, Abia State – The Abia State Government has flagged off the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme, YEIDEP, in the state, with a target to register at least 1 million young people from Abia.

Representing Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, unveiled the programme on Thursday during the official ceremony attended by federal government delegates and partners.

Ananaba said YEIDEP is timely as young people need support to learn, work and build businesses.

“Our young people need opportunities to learn, to work, to start their own businesses, grow their business. And when young people have opportunities, they can build better lives for themselves, support their families, and contribute to the growth of the country,” he said.

He described Abia as a state known for enterprise and hard work, and welcomed other states and partners participating in the programme.

The Commissioner explained that YEIDEP will provide Nigerians aged 18 to 35 with business grants, training and support to start and grow businesses.

Key sectors include agriculture, technology, renewable energy, tourism, entertainment, fashion, beauty, food, infrastructure, health and other areas where youths are already active.

“Across the communities, young people are already making shoes, clothes, furniture, and other products. They are building businesses in technology, farming, food, entertainment, and many other areas. What many of them need is support. They need access to finance, better skills, and business knowledge,” he noted.

Ananaba disclosed that the federal government is targeting over 20 million young Nigerians nationwide. In Abia, more than 200,000 young people have already registered through the programme’s digital platform.

“The target for Abia State is to register at least 1 million young Nigerians. I therefore encourage young people to take this opportunity seriously,” he urged.

He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organizations, student bodies, cooperatives and community groups to help mobilize eligible youths.

The Commissioner stressed that success will not be judged by registration figures alone.

“The success of YEIDEP will not be measured only by the number of people who register. It will be measured by the number of businesses that are created, the businesses that grow, the jobs that are created, and the lives that are improved,” he said.

He reaffirmed Governor Otti’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth to learn, work and build businesses in line with the administration’s economic vision.

Delivering the keynote address, the Coordinator-General of YEIDEP, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, announced that $3 billion has already been secured for the programme through partnerships with banks and international donors.

“Show me your hands. And that is just the beginning. Just the beginning. $3 billion. Just the beginning,” he told the gathering.

Iyere stressed that YEIDEP is a federal government intervention scheme supervised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and is not tied to any political party.

“This is a program of the federal government for the youth of Nigeria, for the young people of Nigeria who want to liberate themselves, emancipate themselves from slavery. It is not an APC program. It is not a PDP program. It is not an LP program. This is YEIDEP. It’s a movement,” he said.

The Coordinator-General linked insecurity and cybercrime to lack of economic opportunities.

“In a country where you have 100 million able-bodied active people roaming the streets… What do you expect? Until we have social justice, Nigeria can never have peace,” he said.

He urged youths involved in cyber fraud and other vices to embrace YEIDEP, citing examples from China and India where similar interventions lifted millions out of poverty.

“YEIDEP will deliver on three fronts: access to training and skills development, access to capital, and access to mentorship,” Iyere said.

He urged youths to register immediately through banks by opening a “federal government YEIDEP account.”

“We are at 13.1 million people now, we are looking for additional 6.9 million. The very day we reach that number, we will put an end to recruitment… If you want to be part of this intervention, you will wait for another two years,” he warned

Iyere commended the Abia State Government under Dr. Alex Otti for supporting the programme.