Dutse, Sept.18, 2025
No fewer than eight youths in Jigawa state have won N2 million grants from the British Council and the Kings Trust International, through the Youths Sustainable Enterprise Challenge.
Speaking at the event in Dutse on Thursday, Dr Yahya Janga, British Council’s Program Manager for non-formal Education-Youth Enterprise and Sustainable Peace program, commended Jigawa government for providing a platform for the training.
According to him, Jigawa has provided endless support for the actualization of the entrepreneurship project, in addition to the support given by the Federal University Dutse, in identifying qualified youths for the training.
Janga, also commended the efforts of the project’s implementing partner, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), for the running the eight weeks intensive training.
The Project Manager tasked all the beneficiaries of the project and the winners of the grant, to enhance their skills and improve their socio-economic status.
In his remarks, Professor Yunusa Zakariya’u, Executive Director of CITAD, said the project is part of the British Council’s Youth Connect Programme.
He explained that it represents a concerted effort to bridge gaps, by equipping young people with market-relevant competencies that enhance employability and foster self-employment.
Zakariya’u represented by Mr Isa Garba, the project co-ordinator, revealed that in Jigawa state, 80 young people participated in the training and eight recipients received the seed grants after a pitch competition.
A ccording to him, “This is a milestone of translating training into business opportunities, after a practical entrepreneurship training, focused on digital skills, ICT, marketing and soft skills.
Mentorship and network building he explained, are integral in the project, thus providing access to mentors, peer learning groups, and connections to potential investors and partners.
The seed funding he said, were realized through a competitive pitch process leading to seed grants for the most promising ventures, encouraging youth-led innovation and self-reliance
In a speech, Jigawa state Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Mr Sagir Musa, commended the initiative and the organisers.
He said that the state government has given priority to youths empowerment, a result of which is visible in many areas across the state.
Represented by the Deputy Director Youths of the Ministry, Mr Abbas Zakari, expressed that the state is ready to partner with organisations on youths empowerment in the state.
He however tasked the beneficiaries, on proper utilization of their newly acquired skills and sharing the skills with youths that were not chanced to attend the training.
It was gathered that out of 29 youths that pitched their business ideas, eight emerged winners with a grant of N250,000 each.
Mr Muhammed Bello, was amongst the beneficiaries and he is an adolescent with disability, who said he would invest the grant wisely.
Bello tasked youths with disability to learn some skills and avoid over dependence on white collar jobs and the government to provide means of survival for them.
Another female beneficiary, Miss Fiddausi Hamza, said she learnt a modern skill on epoxy raisin art and she will ensure investing into her new skill.
The winners commended the British Council, Kings Trust International, and Centre for Information, Technology and Development (CITAD), for the project.
It was gathered that the Jigawa state model is designed to combine international best practices, with local insights, to foster sustainable entrepreneurship and contribute to Nigeria’s development.
Aisha Ahmed ✍ from Dutse.
