In a major boost to youth empowerment, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has awarded ₦531,000 each to 531 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, alongside starter packs to help them launch their own businesses.
The presentation took place in Abuja, where NNPCL executive Bayo Ojulari emphasized the company’s dedication to youth development and national growth. Describing the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, he said:
“You are exceptional candidates. We are proud to support your journey.”
Mr. Ojulari encouraged the beneficiaries to channel the resources into building impactful businesses, stressing the importance of discipline and vision.
“Use these resources wisely. They are seeds for your growth and transformation,” he advised.
The empowerment programme is a joint effort between the NNPCL Foundation, NYSC, the Corporate Affairs Commission, and Kudimata Nigeria Ltd., with a goal to improve lives through financial education and support.
According to Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of NNPCL Foundation, the initiative began with a strong focus on financial literacy:
“More than 800,000 corps members have participated since August 2023,” she said.
She added that the training covered branding, funding, business viability, and other key areas. The final 531 beneficiaries were selected after scoring 70% or more in a competitive evaluation.
“Even those not selected today have gained skills to access loans and grants. This is a long-term investment in economic resilience,” Ms. Arukwe noted.
NYSC Director-General, Olakunle Nafiu, praised NNPCL for going beyond training to provide practical tools for success.
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