YOUTH EMPOWERMENT STRATEGIES: THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE N-POWER PROGRAMME IN CROSS RIVER STATE

Abstract

This study assessed the contribution of the N-Power programme to youth empowerment in Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to evaluate the extent of N-Power’s impact on youth empowerment, identify challenges hindering the programme’s effectiveness, and suggest improvements to enhance its outcomes. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, the study used cluster random sampling to select N-Power beneficiaries. Data were collected through questionnaires complemented by Key Informant Interviews. Analysis was conducted using percentage distributions. Findings revealed that most beneficiaries were from the N-Teach strand, followed by N-Health, N-Agro, and Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) strands. The programme contributed to youth empowerment by reducing poverty, improving ICT skills, providing financial support, offering on-the-job experience, and encouraging small-scale business investments. Despite these gains, beneficiaries faced challenges such as delays and non-payment of allowances, inconvenient postings far from their residences, and inadequate teacher training for N-Teach participants. The study recommends timely payment of stipends, resolving outstanding allowance issues, assigning beneficiaries closer to their homes, and enhancing teacher education support within the programme. These measures are essential to maximize the empowerment potential of the N-Power initiative in Cross River State and Nigeria at large.