Empowering Northern Youths: Eight Entrepreneurs Earn N2m Seed Grants in Jigawa – Reports

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Eight out of 80 young entrepreneurs trained by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) have received grants worth N2 million to grow their businesses, following an eight-week employability and entrepreneurship programme in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The initiative, backed by the British Council and King’s Trust International, comes as part of efforts to address youth unemployment and underemployment in northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Yahya Janga, Programme Manager for Non-formal Education – Youth Enterprise and Sustainable Peace at the British Council, said, “Jigawa has provided endless support for the actualisation of this entrepreneurship project. We also commend the Federal University Dutse for helping to identify qualified youths for the training.” He urged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity to upgrade their skills and economic prospects.

The Executive Director of CITAD, Malam Yunusa Zakariya’u, represented by Project Coordinator Mr. Isa Garba, explained that the initiative was part of the British Council’s Youth Connect Programme. He said, “In Jigawa, 80 young people between the ages of 18 and 30 drawn from across the state participated in the training, and eight eventually received the seed grants after a pitch competition. This is a milestone in translating training into business opportunities, especially in areas such as digital skills, ICT, marketing, and soft skills.”

He added that mentorship, peer learning, and investor linkages were core aspects of the programme, aimed at fostering youth-led innovation and independence.

The state Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Mr. Sagir Musa, represented by Deputy Director of Youths Mr. Abbas Zakari, praised the organisers. He said, “Our administration has given priority to empowering young people, which is why you can see results across many sectors. We are ready to partner with organisations that share this vision.” Musa further urged the winners to “make proper use of the grant and share their knowledge with peers who could not attend the training.”

Out of 29 youths who pitched business ideas, eight secured grants of N250,000 each. Among them was Mr. Mohammed Bello, a youth living with a disability, who said, “I urge youths with disabilities to learn skills and not depend only on white-collar jobs. The government must also provide avenues for us to survive.”

Another recipient, Miss Fiddausi Hamza, who learnt epoxy resin art, said, “This grant will enable me to turn my training into a viable business.”

The beneficiaries collectively expressed gratitude, saying, “This initiative by the British Council, King’s Trust International, and CITAD will help us become self-reliant.”

According to PUNCH Online, the Jigawa model was designed to merge international best practices with local realities, building sustainable entrepreneurship and supporting Nigeria’s development agenda

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