The Nigerian government has intensified its youth empowerment drive through a strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM).
The collaboration is designed to broaden youth training, apprenticeship, and enterprise development programmes nationwide, with a particular focus on the automotive value chain and related sectors.
The initiative was announced during a working visit by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, and members of the Ministry’s team, to the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing plant in Nnewi, Anambra State, South-East Nigeria.
The Minister commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma for his commitment to indigenous innovation, industrial growth, and job creation.
He lauded the company’s technical training and apprenticeship schemes, which have provided opportunities for numerous young Nigerians, including outstanding female auto-technicians who continue to make remarkable progress in the sector.
The Minister also met with the Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Agha Mba, where both ministries reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the “1 Youth, 2 Skills” campaign.
The campaign is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical, income-generating skills that promote innovation, productivity, and self-reliance.