By Israel Adamu, Jos
A youth empowerment initiative by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE), jointly sponsored by Crust Microfinance Bank, Thrive Agric, and Trace Nigeria, has provided POS terminals and loans to youths and women in Plateau State to boost entrepreneurship and business skills.
The initiative benefits 300 women and youths from 10 communities across four local government areas of the state.
Each beneficiary is entitled to a minimum loan of N100,000, with a maximum of N500,000, to support their businesses, which will also be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The initiative’s concept note highlights the inclusion of women and youth, recognizing their pivotal role in driving employment opportunities and economic growth in Nigeria and Africa.
Beneficiaries can work as agro-commodity agents, POS agents, and more, with a focus on skill development to thrive in agriculture and financial services.
At a town hall meeting with the beneficiaries, Project Lead Barrister Khadija Mohammad Abdulhameed explained that the project targets youths and women aged 18 to 35 and is currently being implemented in 10 communities across four local government areas of Plateau State.
“The 10 communities are Heipang, Gyel, Dadinkowa, Tudun-Wada, Dung, Gengere, Haske, Kampala, and others, covering Jos North, Jos South, Jos East, and Barkin Ladi LGAs.
“The project aims to address the gender gap among women and youths aged 18 to 35, which hinders access to employment opportunities.
“Our sponsors are companies that use innovative solutions. Crust Microfinance Bank, for instance, offers financial services. They will distribute POS terminals to the beneficiaries and register their businesses with the CAC. The youths and women will pay 50% of the registration fee, with the bank covering the remaining 50%.
“The bank will also provide loans ranging from N100,000 to N500,000. A total of 300 youths and women from 10 communities and four local government areas have been selected for this project,” she said.
Abdulhameed advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds and operate their POS businesses effectively.
Assistant Team Lead Zeenret Zamani added that the project aims to raise awareness of the importance of youth and women embracing entrepreneurship for sustainable economic development.
He called on the government to create policies that encourage women and youths to pursue entrepreneurship for their own benefit and that of the nation.
He noted that one of the project’s partners, Thrive Agric, is already transforming agricultural practices in Nigeria and other African countries and will support the youths accordingly.
“This is in addition to the business empowerment program that Crust Microfinance Bank is implementing in Plateau State, which will go a long way in empowering women and youths,” Zamani said.
In his presentation, resource person Dr. Reuel Dakung emphasized the importance of youth empowerment, noting that statistics show youths make up about 70% of Nigeria’s population. He added that women are also pivotal to societal development, saying, “If you build a woman, you build a nation.”
Dr. Dakung, from the University of Jos’ Department of Business Administration, stressed that empowering women and youths is essential for national economic development.
He observed that women and youths have historically been marginalized, which contributes to high poverty levels, especially in rural areas.
According to him, statistics show that around 120 million youths in Nigeria are either underemployed or unemployed, a situation that fuels youth restiveness and crime.
“This program is timely because it offers strategies for youth empowerment, including skills training, partnerships with organizations, and mentorship. Financial inclusion, literacy, intelligence, and discipline are also key components.
“If our youths and women embrace these opportunities, they will succeed. In Plateau State, there are numerous business opportunities, particularly in agriculture. If they tap into these, they will achieve greatness,” he said.
