YOUWIN Deepens Youth Entrepreneurship Drive

YOUWIN Deepens Youth Entrepreneurship Drive In line with the ministry's mandate to accelerate economic growth, promote youth entrepreneurship and create sustainable employment opportunities, the **Youth Empowerment and Innovation Programme (YOUWIN) has expanded its nationwide Enterprise Education Initiative, equipping thousands of young Nigerians with practical knowledge and skills for business success. The initiative forms part of the Federal Government's commitment to nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of driving innovation, creating jobs and contributing to Nigeria's economic transformation. During the first half of 2026, YOUWIN successfully conducted a nationwide Enterprise Education outreach programme covering NYSC 2026 Batch A (Streams I and II) and Batch B Stream 1. The programme reached all 37 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camps** across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, ensuring that corps members received structured enterprise development lectures as they prepared for life after national service. The programme was also extended to 37 tertiary institutions across the country, bringing practical entrepreneurship education directly to students and young graduates preparing to enter Nigeria's dynamic business environment. Participants received practical guidance on how to identify viable business opportunities, develop bankable business ideas, prepare business plans, access available support programmes, manage business finances, build resilient enterprises and scale sustainable businesses. The sessions also encouraged innovation, problem-solving and an entrepreneurial mindset as critical drivers of self-employment and wealth creation. To support continued learning beyond the classroom, YOUWIN distributed more than 20,000 enterprise education books across the 37 NYSC Orientation Camps and another 15,000 free books to students of selected institutions. Altogether, almost 40,000 enterprise education books have been distributed nationwide. The initiative complements the Federal Government's broader economic reform agenda by preparing young Nigerians not only to seek employment but also to become entrepreneurs, employers of labour and contributors to inclusive economic growth. By strengthening entrepreneurial capacity at an early stage, YOUWIN is helping to build a pipeline of innovative businesses that can stimulate local economies, expand opportunities and support national productivity. As Nigeria continues to implement reforms aimed at unlocking private sector growth and improving the ease of doing business, YOUWIN remains committed to empowering young Nigerians with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills required to **plan, start, manage and grow successful enterprises. Through sustained investment in entrepreneurship education, the Programme is contributing to the realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda by fostering enterprise, creating opportunities and building a more prosperous and resilient Nigerian economy.