Zaria, Nigeria – In a major boost for youth entrepreneurship, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has unveiled a ₦100 million start-up fund for graduates of vocational and ICT training programs in his Zaria constituency. The announcement came during the graduation ceremony at the Zainab Ahmed ICT/Vocational Centre, marking his second anniversary as Speaker.
Key Highlights of the Initiative
₦100M Seed Fund: Direct financial support for graduates to launch businesses
Skills Focus: ICT, digital marketing, app development, and vocational trades
Global Vision: Speaker emphasized how technology erases geographical barriers for Nigerian youth
Speaker Abbas’ Inspiration:
“True progress begins in classrooms and skills centers. With just a phone or laptop, our youth are competing globally—this fund will amplify their potential.”
Why This Matters
Job Creation: Addresses youth unemployment through entrepreneurship
Digital Economy: Aligns with Nigeria’s tech-driven economic diversification
Local Impact: Builds on Speaker’s educational investments in Zaria
Graduate Testimonial:
“This support transforms my app development skills into a real business. We’re ready to solve local problems with global solutions.” — Amina Lawal, Coding Graduate
The Bigger Picture
The initiative mirrors growing national recognition of vocational/ICT training as critical for:
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Curbing youth restiveness in Northern Nigeria
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Unlocking Nigeria’s freelance economy (worth over $500M annually)
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Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work)
