The Nigerian Government has endorsed a new European Union-funded initiative, “The Hustle Reality Show,” aimed at youth empowerment and entrepreneurship in Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states. The project, launched by the NGO Search for Common Ground, is designed to provide young people with opportunities to develop socially impactful businesses, strengthen economic resilience, and promote inclusive development.
The 24-month programme will bring together aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 to compete in team-based business challenges, offering training, mentorship, and up to N100 million in seed capital for selected ventures. Officials highlighted the project as a creative model for fostering peace, social cohesion, and economic opportunity in a region grappling with violent conflict and limited employment prospects.
The European Union emphasized the initiative’s role in equipping youth with entrepreneurial skills, building cross-community networks, and positioning participants as agents of change. Government representatives noted that initiatives like The Hustle Reality Show align with national priorities to create safer, more resilient communities and provide young people with pathways to meaningful participation in the economy.
The launch follows other regional youth-focused interventions, including the North-West Development Commission’s 2025/2026 Undergraduate and Postgraduate Foreign Scholarship Scheme, which targets exceptional students in the Northwest to promote academic excellence and human capital development.
Officials expressed optimism that initiatives supporting youth entrepreneurship and education will strengthen communities, reduce social tensions, and accelerate regional and national development.
