CHALLENGES OF N-POWER AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This research work aimed to assess the effect of N-Power scheme policy on youth empowerment and unemployment in Lagos State, Nigeria, 2016 - 2022. The specific objectives of the study were to: determine the effect of N-Power Teach (N-Teach) on skill improvement of beneficiaries in in Lagos State; and examine the effect of N-Power Health (N-Health) on self-reliance of beneficiaries in Lagos State. An ex-post facto descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Purposive and simple random sampling data collection methods were used. Structured questionnaire instrument was used for collection of primary data for the study. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and mean rating & inferential statistics of Simple Regression Analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings from the study revealed, among others that N-Power Teach has a positive significant effect on skill improvement among the N-Power beneficiaries in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study’s result also showed that N-power Health has a positive significant effect on self-reliance of beneficiaries in Lagos State. The study concluded that, N-Power Scheme by Federal government of Nigeria has positive significant effect on youth empowerment and unemployment in Lagos State. Based on the findings and conclusion from the study, the study recommends that N-Power programme should be sustained and continued by the successive government with emphasis on job training with the view of teaching the beneficiaries new skills and techniques; both the Federal and State governments must actively initiate and establish more empowerment and skill development programmes for the youth.

Key Words: N-Power Scheme, Youth Empowerment, Unemployment, Skill Improvement, Self-reliance