The Federal Government has opened the application portal for free training in artificial intelligence, makeup, and fashion design under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) programme. The initiative, announced by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre on X on Thursday, targets Nigerians seeking practical skills to boost employment and entrepreneurship.
Free Training Opportunities Under NPRGS
The NPRGS is a Federal Government initiative of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, implemented through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education. The programme is designed to equip Nigerians with practical skills that can support employment, entrepreneurship, and income generation.
Registration has opened for the next cohort of the programme in Oyo State, giving applicants the chance to develop technical and vocational skills without paying training fees. The available training options include Graphics/AI, Makeup, and Fashion Design, allowing participants to choose a skill that matches their interests and career goals.
Application Requirements and Selection Process
Prospective beneficiaries must complete an online application form and respond to the questions provided as part of the registration process. The programme urged applicants to answer the questions honestly, noting that the information supplied would help ensure a fair and effective selection process.
Applicants are also expected to provide accurate personal information and carefully review their details before submitting the form. The Federal Government has continued to promote technical and vocational education as part of efforts to equip Nigerians with practical skills that can create pathways to employment and self-employment.
How to Apply for the Free Training
Interested applicants are expected to complete the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy application form online. Applicants should provide the required personal information and select their preferred training option from the available skills, including Graphics/AI, Makeup, or Fashion Design.
They must then answer all questions on the application form honestly, review the information provided, and submit the completed application. After submission, applicants are expected to await further communication from the programme organisers regarding the selection process and next steps.
Broader Government Skills Initiatives
The initiative provides another opportunity for Nigerians to gain practical, marketable skills as the Federal Government expands its focus on vocational training, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment. This follows the recent launch of the online registration portal for Phase III of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), which plans to train 26,961 unemployed Nigerians in 70 high-demand skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The RHEI programme is expected to commence in August 2026 after the registration process is completed.
