The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq has disclosed that no fewer than five million candidates have applied for the N-Power programme.
The Minister made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday by her Special Assistant on Strategic Communication, Mrs Halima Oyelade.
“A total of 5,042,001 Nigerian youths have applied as at the end of the registration”.
According to her, the registration, which commenced on June 26, was to end on July 26 but was extended by two weeks.
She said “Due diligence will be applied during the next stages of the selection to ensure that only duly qualified applicants are enrolled.
“The Ministry will ensure that the applicants as well as the general public, are fully informed on the progress of the scheme”.
In her words, the Minister noted that the N-Power programme is aimed at providing the Nigerian youths with opportunities to gain skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
Farouq further emphasized that it would also go a long way in assisting the country towards the post COVID-19 economic recovery.
She added that women and persons with disability will be given priority during the selection.
She said “The Ministry remain committed to the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to lift 100 million Nigerians out of Poverty in the next 10 years.
“However, the N-power Programme is one of the platforms that can assist in the realisation of that vision”