This post highlights 5 benefits of the N-Power for Nigerian youths.

What is the N-Power scheme in Nigeria?

Benefits of the N-Power for Nigerian youths — N-Power scheme for Nigerian youths

The N-Power is a youth empowerment scheme set up by the Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari on the 8th of June 2016. The scheme was established to address the issue of youth unemployment and alleviate poverty in Nigeria. Designed for Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35, it provides for large-scale work skills acquisition and development.

Simultaneously, it is linked to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the economy of Nigeria. N-Power, a component of the National Social Investment Program, ensures participants learn what is necessary to find work.

The N-Power categories

Currently operating in the 36 states of Nigeria, the scheme is categorized into two: the N-Power Graduate and Non-Graduate category. Note that the N-Power Graduate category is also known as N-Power Volunteer Corps.

While the N-Power Graduate category is a post-tertiary engagement initiative, its counterpart trains non-graduates with skills useful for self-improvement. These categories are further sub-categorized. The N-Power Teach, N-Power Health, N-Power Agro, and N-Power Tax are the key areas under the N-Power Graduate category.

The N-Power Knowledge and the N-Power Build are the only categories under the N-Power Non-Graduate category. N-Power beneficiaries are also paid a monthly stipend of N30,000 during their period of engagement which is 2 years.

N-Power Graduate	Non-Graduate (also known as N-Power Volunteer Corps)
N-Power Teach	N-Power Knowledge
N-Power Health	N-Power Build
N-Power Agro
N-Power Tax

The N-Power categories and sub-categories in Nigeria

Benefits of the N-Power for Nigerian youths

1. Availability for Nigerian Youths

The N-Power scheme makes provision for all Nigerian Youths regardless of their backgrounds or educational status. While the graduates have their own programs, the non-graduates are not left out too. This scheme ensures there is no discrimination in any form. All youths have equal opportunities and are paid the same monthly allowance.

2. Employment for Nigerian Youths

N-Power provides an opportunity for Nigerian Youths to be productive, creative, and again innovative. Engaged in profitable work, Nigerian Youths will not be plagued with depression, frustration, or even suicidal thoughts.

3. Empowerment for Nigerian Youths

N-Power seeks to equip Nigerian Youths with relevant technical skills and certification. This helps them to start businesses of their own and become innovators domestically and even globally. Better still, they help boost Nigeria’s economy.

4. Provision of capital for Nigerian Youths

Every month, Nigerian youths in the N-Power Scheme are being paid a monthly allowance by the government. For prospective business owners, this allowance helps them save up for the capital with which to start their own businesses.

5. Job opportunities for Nigerian Youths

Most companies invite job-seeking graduates for interviews but employ few to fill up available vacant positions. The N-Power Scheme however seeks to recruit at least 500, 000 youths.

Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of the economic growth and social development of any great nation. With the N-Power scheme, Nigeria's economy is bound to improve. N-Power is a commendable scheme from the Government of Nigeria keeping youths engaged for 2 years.

Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has something to say about this. According to her, “the N-Power scheme has improved the livelihood of a critical mass of young unemployed Nigerians”. It is hoped, however, that a lasting solution will be provided to the problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria.