5 Key Youth Empowerment Programmes Still Unimplemented as Nigeria Heads Into 2026

Youth empowerment has remained a central theme in Nigeria’s economic and social development plans. Over the years, several high-profile programmes were launched to tackle unemployment, support entrepreneurship, and provide financial inclusion for young Nigerians. However, as the country moves toward 2026, many of these programmes remain stalled, inactive, or poorly implemented.

This article focuses on five major youth empowerment initiatives—N-Power, NYIF, V-YEIDEP, BOI Rapid Empowerment Programme, and GEEP—that were expected to deliver real impact but are still struggling with effective implementation.

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1. N-Power Programme

N-Power was introduced as one of Nigeria’s flagship youth empowerment programmes, aimed at reducing unemployment by engaging young graduates and non-graduates in education, health, agriculture, and technology services.

While millions of youths have registered over the years, the programme has faced persistent challenges:

• Irregular payment of stipends
• Delayed or suspended onboarding of new batches
• Lack of clear transition plans after exit
• Uncertainty around the programme’s continuity

As of now, many qualified applicants remain on standby, while former beneficiaries are left without sustainable post-programme support as 2026 approaches.

2. Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF)

The Nigeria Youth Investment Fund was designed to provide affordable financing to youth-owned businesses across the country. With a promised multi-billion-naira allocation, NYIF raised huge expectations among young entrepreneurs.

However, implementation has been widely criticised due to:

• Slow and opaque loan disbursement process
• Many applicants receiving approval messages without funding
• Limited public information on beneficiaries
• Inadequate business support and mentoring

For many youths, NYIF remains more of an announcement than a functioning empowerment tool.

3. V-YEIDEP (Youth Empowerment and Development Programme)

YEIDEP was introduced to promote youth economic inclusion through skills development, business support, and access to finance. The programme gained attention due to its focus on vulnerable and unemployed youths.

Despite the initial excitement, key issues persist:

• Delayed nationwide rollout
• Unclear registration and verification processes
• Lack of transparency on funding and disbursement
• Limited public accountability

As 2026 draws nearer, many registered youths are still waiting for tangible benefits from V-YEIDEP.

4. BOI Rapid Empowerment Programme

The Bank of Industry Rapid Empowerment Programme was created to provide quick financial and technical support to small and medium-scale youth-led enterprises. It was expected to reduce barriers to accessing formal credit.

However, challenges affecting implementation include:

• Complex application requirements
• Limited awareness among grassroots entrepreneurs
• Slow approval and disbursement timelines
• Restricted reach outside major urban centres

As a result, many young business owners are unable to access the support the programme promised.

5. Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP)

GEEP, which includes initiatives such as TraderMoni, MarketMoni, and FarmerMoni, was designed to provide interest-free micro-loans to petty traders, artisans, and small business owners—many of whom are young Nigerians.

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Over time, the programme has suffered from:

• Inconsistent disbursement cycles
• Political interference and credibility concerns
• Weak monitoring and loan recovery systems
• Limited expansion and sustainability

Today, GEEP’s impact has significantly reduced, leaving many intended youth beneficiaries underserved.

Why These Delays Matter

Youth empowerment programmes are not just social welfare initiatives; they are economic investments. Delays, inconsistencies, and lack of transparency weaken trust in public institutions and increase youth frustration, unemployment, and poverty.

As Nigeria approaches 2026, effective implementation of these programmes is critical to:

• Reducing youth unemployment
• Supporting entrepreneurship and innovation
• Improving financial inclusion
• Enhancing national stability

Conclusion

N-Power, NYIF, V-YEIDEP, BOI Rapid Empowerment Programme, and GEEP were all designed to change the economic realities of Nigerian youths. Unfortunately, many of these initiatives remain partially implemented or inactive.

The big question remains: Will 2026 finally be the year these youth empowerment programmes move beyond promises and deliver real, measurable impact?