By Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
A total of 293 young people have graduated from the Youth Learn, Earn and Prosper in the Lake Chad Region Project implemented by Plan International Nigeria with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The dual National Graduation and Impact Showcase ceremonies, themed “Seeds of Change,” were held in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, and will continue in Yola, Adamawa State, on Thursday, 30 October 2025. The events highlight the achievements of youth participants trained in agriculture, vocational skills, and entrepreneurship.
Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate, according to 2020 data, stands at 33.3 percent, with significantly higher figures in conflict-affected states such as Borno and Adamawa, where insecurity and displacement have disrupted education and livelihoods.
To tackle this challenge, Plan International established four Livelihood Incubation Centres across Damboa and Mafa LGAs in Borno, and Girei and Fufore LGAs in Adamawa. Over a six-month training cycle, participants received technical and life-skills education, business coaching, and monthly stipends of ₦30,000 for transportation within the period of the training. Upon graduation, each beneficiary received ₦100,000 in seed capital to launch microenterprises in agriculture and related sectors.
In Borno State alone, 132 youth comprising two cohorts of 66 trainees each completed training in farming, livestock management, literacy, and entrepreneurship. In Adamawa, 159 youth completed similar modules, bringing the total to 291 trained across both states.
Speaking at the Maiduguri ceremony, Mr. Emmanuel Nuhu, Head of Humanitarian Programmes for Plan International Nigeria, said the event marks a new chapter in youth empowerment in the Northeast.
“We are excited to celebrate 132 young graduates in Borno today who have successfully completed our skills acquisition program under the BMZ project. These young people are now equipped not only to earn a living but also to train others in their communities,” Nuhu said.
He added that the program’s goal is to strengthen resilience, promote gender inclusion, and help young people become self-reliant through sustainable livelihoods.
Under the initiative, government staff from the Ministries of Agriculture and Education were also trained to deliver future courses, ensuring sustainability and local ownership.
John Michael, a 19-year-old participant from Simari community in Mafa LGA, shared how the training transformed his life.
“Before Plan International came, I had no skills or direction. Now I’ve learned how to manage a business, engage with my community, and I’m successfully running a poultry farm,” he said with pride.
Similarly, Abubakar Ahmed Sadiq from Kaleri community expressed gratitude for the financial and technical support received.
“They not only taught us business management but also gave us capital to start our cosmetic businesses. We now understand how to sustain what we’ve built,” Sadiq explained.
Amma Mala, another graduate from Tsinimari community in Jere LGA, recounted her renewed success in agriculture after previous failed attempts.
“I used to think poultry farming was impossible for me, but the training changed everything. Now, my birds are healthy and my business is growing. I am confident in sustaining it,” she said.
The project trained a total of 291 youth, renovated four livelihood incubation centres, and provided each participant with a monthly stipend of ₦30,000 and a seed grant of ₦100,000. Each training lasted six months per cohort, with a target to reach 38,000 adolescent beneficiaries nationwide under the broader youth empowerment framework.
The project also strengthened peacebuilding structures in participating communities, empowering young people with conflict resolution and leadership skills.
Plan International Nigeria’s Country Director described the initiative as a model for post-conflict recovery, emphasizing its gender-sensitive approach and community-led sustainability.
“Through this project, we are not only reducing unemployment but also planting real seeds of peace and productivity in the Lake Chad region,” she said.
293 Youth Graduate from Plan International’s ₦100,000 Seed Grant Program in Borno, Adamawa Plan International Trains 291 Young Entrepreneurs, Revamps 4 Livelihood Centres in Northeast Nigeria ₦100,000 Startup Grant, 6-Month Training Empower 293 Youth to Rebuild Lives in Conflict-Affected Borno, Adamawa
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