The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has disbursed catalytic grants worth ₦44.3 million to 65 youth-led enterprises, reaffirming its commitment to harnessing the potential of young people as drivers of peace and sustainable economic growth in the region.
The grants were announced at a ceremony in Asaba, Delta State, held to mark International Youth Day 2025 under the theme “Advancing Peace and Development in the Niger Delta Through Technology, Partnerships, and Job Creation.” The event gathered more than 100 participants, including youth leaders, government representatives, private sector players, development partners, and civil society organisations.
The initiative is part of PIND’s Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) programme, which equips vulnerable and marginalised youth with technical, entrepreneurial, and soft skills to enable them access sustainable livelihoods. The programme is anchored on partnerships with vocational institutions, employers, and government agencies.
Out of the 65 grants, 22 were awarded to service-oriented ventures such as fashion, solar installation, and photography; 20 went to agriculture-based businesses; 18 to construction-related enterprises; and five to ICT start-ups.
According to PIND, the focus goes beyond supporting individual entrepreneurs to building local ecosystems of peace and productivity through youth-led enterprises. The organisation emphasised that collaboration between government, the private sector, civil society, and youth remains critical to addressing the region’s complex challenges.
The foundation described the award as a statement of the creativity, resilience, and leadership of young people in the Niger Delta, underscoring the role of innovation and enterprise in shaping a more peaceful and prosperous future.
