National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has launched the Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Scale-Up Grant in Jos, Plateau State, with more than 2,000 beneficiaries receiving financial support and vocational equipment.
The initiative, unveiled at the Tamarald Event Centre, involves the disbursement of ₦300 million to 2,127 beneficiaries drawn across political affiliations, in a move aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship and strengthening small and medium-scale enterprises in the state.
Speaking at the event, Nentawe said the programme is designed to shift Plateau’s economic structure away from overdependence on civil service employment towards a more productive, enterprise-driven economy. He urged beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by building sustainable ventures, stressing that their selection must translate into measurable impact.
A breakdown of the intervention shows that 1,400 beneficiaries received direct cash grants amounting to ₦280 million, with individual allocations ranging between ₦100,000 and ₦1 million. Another 727 beneficiaries were supported with starter packs, including tricycles, sewing machines, welding tools, point-of-sale (POS) machines with startup capital, catering kits and other vocational equipment.
The APC chairman also outlined a monitoring and evaluation framework for the programme, noting that beneficiaries will be assessed after six months and one year. Those who demonstrate progress, he said, will be eligible for additional support, including larger grants, access to loans and equipment upgrades.
He linked the initiative to the broader economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to expand Nigeria’s economy to a $1 trillion size. According to him, ongoing infrastructure development and planned improvements in logistics and export systems will create opportunities for small businesses to scale and compete.
Representing Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Deputy Governor, Ngo Josephine Piyo, described the programme as a timely intervention for youth empowerment. She called on beneficiaries to deploy the resources judiciously in ways that create value and support community development.
Other stakeholders at the event underscored the importance of cooperative business models, mentorship and access to revolving finance in sustaining small enterprises, noting that such support systems would enhance the long-term impact of the initiative.
The launch drew party leaders, government officials and development partners, with the APC leadership emphasising the need for beneficiaries to align their ventures with national development priorities and build businesses capable of thriving beyond the initial support.