UNIZIK Partners FG’s YEIDEP to Empower Youths in  South-East

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Bond Ugochukwu Stanley Anyaehie, has spearheaded a strategic partnership with the Federal Government’s Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (YEIDEP) to enhance youth empowerment across Nigeria’s South-East region.

The Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (YEIDEP) is a federal initiative designed to tackle youth unemployment, poverty, and insecurity by providing training, mentorship, and financial support to youth-led enterprises.

Under the programme, eligible entrepreneurs can access grants of up to ₦5,000,000, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), and vocational trades. The initiative is managed by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with the Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI). 

Notably, the programme prioritizes non-repayable grants rather than loans, ensuring that beneficiaries are not burdened with debt.

Beyond financial assistance, YEIDEP places strong emphasis on equipping young people with practical skills and resources necessary to build sustainable businesses, thereby contributing to long-term economic stability and social inclusion.

The Director-General of YOTSI, Kennedy Iyere, emphasized that the partnership is expected to broaden opportunities for young people and stimulate economic growth across the region.

Critical observers note that the Anyaehie-led administration at Nnamdi Azikiwe University continues to make significant inroads in improving students’ welfare, particularly for those who are entrepreneurially inclined and technologically driven.