The Akwa Ibom State Government has commenced applications for specialised youth skills development and empowerment programmes at seven newly commissioned Youth-Friendly Centres across the state.
The initiative, approved by Governor Umo Eno, is designed to equip young men and women with practical and marketable skills to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment under the administration’s ARISE Agenda.
The state government said the programme, being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Development, would be delivered at designated centres in Oron, Ikono, Uruan, Etinan, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ubium and Etim Ekpo, based on the specific skills assigned to each centre.
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It said the initiative builds on the success of the Cohort One Youth Digital Skills Training Programme in Oron, with the graduation ceremony scheduled for October 9, 2026.
According to the government, applicants must not be above 45 years of age and must originate from and reside in the Local Government Area where the relevant training centre is located.
Applicants are also required to apply only for a skill in which they have a genuine interest and which is assigned to their designated centre.
They must also be available and fully committed to the intensive three-month training programme.
The government encouraged eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire relevant skills that could enhance their self-reliance, entrepreneurship and participation in the economy.
Interested applicants are to apply through “the Akwa Ibom employment portal” (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/0).
The application portal opened on September 28, 2026, and will close on October 5, 2026.
The initiative forms part of the state government’s broader youth development and human capital investment efforts under the ARISE Agenda, with emphasis on practical skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
