N-Power Batch C: 6.4 Million Applications Received On Portal – FG

A total of 6.4 million Nigerians reportedly submitted applications for the N-Power Batch C youth empowerment scheme initiated by the Muhammadu Buhari Buhari administration.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, confirmed this in Abuja on Tuesday, Naija News reports.

Recall that the incumbent government initiated the N-Power scheme in June 2016 to curtail the issues of youth unemployment and help increase social development in the country.

First batch beneficiaries of the empowerment programme had since been graduated after receiving series of trainings, payment and social engagement for a period of four years.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the humanitarian ministry open house event/inauguration of Internally Displaced Persons Policy, Farouq noted that 510,000 applicants had been enrolled, while 490,000 would come on board on the scheme for batch C.

She said: “The ministry successfully exited the 500,000 Batches A and B N-Power beneficiaries in 2020 and received about 6.4 million applications for Batch C.

“From Batches A and B, 109,823 beneficiaries have gone on to set up businesses in their communities, underlining and highlighting the impact and importance of the N-Power programme.

“Under Batch-C stream 1 there are 510,000 currently enrolled and benefitting from the programme, while an additional 490,000 will be enrolled following presidential approval to increase the number to one million.”

Giving further explanation on the inauguration of the National Policy on IDP, Farouq said the policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council in September 2021.

According to her, the process of developing and adoption of the policy commenced in 2001 and within this period, the initial draft of the policy have been reviewed severally to reflect new realities and emerging trends in humanitarian space in Nigeria.

Farouq added, “This policy intends to provide a framework for national responsibility towards prevention and protection of citizens and, in some cases, non-citizens, from incidences of arbitrary and other forms of internal displacement.

“It will meet their assistance and protection needs during displacement, and ensure their rehabilitation, return, reintegration and relocation after displacement.”