A Non-Governmental Organisation, Search for Common Ground, has announced a partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to engage 794 persons across the Niger Delta region in various skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes. The initiative is designed to promote peace, reduce unemployment, and empower vulnerable groups in the oil-rich but conflict-prone region.
The Consortium Manager of Search for Common Ground, Mr. Chorbe Joshua, disclosed this during a Social Media Listening Workshop held on Tuesday in Asaba, Delta State. He explained that the beneficiaries were carefully selected through a transparent process to ensure that only those who met the set criteria qualified for the training.
According to him, the ongoing programme is divided between different implementing partners. “Out of the total number of beneficiaries, 594 are under Search for Common Ground, while 200 are sponsored by the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), making a total of 794 persons that are currently benefiting or will soon benefit from the initiative,” he said.
Joshua explained that the training covers entrepreneurship and business development as a foundation, after which beneficiaries will move into technical and vocational skills training. He noted that the duration of the courses varies depending on the chosen field, with some lasting three months and others extending to six months.
The NGO is also planning to provide starter packs to participants upon completion of their training. Joshua said this step is aimed at ensuring that trainees do not only acquire knowledge but also receive the resources to practice their skills and sustain themselves economically. “We are not just giving them the capacity through training, but also the means to manage their businesses and become self-reliant. The long-term goal is to enable them to run income-generating ventures, either individually or within their communities,” he added.
He revealed that the project spans about 23 different skill sectors, providing a wide range of opportunities for youths from different backgrounds. These include vocational trades, entrepreneurial services, and community-based initiatives that can boost the local economy.
Joshua further acknowledged the contribution of the European Union (EU), which has supported the programme across three Niger Delta states—Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa. “The EU’s investment in this initiative has been significant, and it has made it possible for us to extend these opportunities to communities where youth unemployment and restiveness have remained major challenges,” he noted.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Sunny Dada, a peace advocate, urged young people in the Niger Delta to embrace social media as a tool for peacebuilding rather than conflict escalation. He observed that with the exponential growth of online platforms and the tech-savvy nature of Nigerian youths, social media conversations increasingly shape conflict and social dynamics in the region.
Dada warned against the dangers of fake news, misinformation, mal-information, and hate speech, which have often worsened tensions in local communities. Instead, he encouraged youths to use their online presence to promote dialogue, understanding, and initiatives that can contribute to peace and development.
The organisers emphasised that the primary aim of the project is not only to provide employment opportunities but also to build resilience in communities that have long been affected by instability and neglect. By targeting young people and vulnerable groups, the programme seeks to reduce the lure of violence, militancy, and other negative coping mechanisms that thrive in regions with limited economic opportunities.
Stakeholders present at the workshop commended the initiative, describing it as a practical step toward addressing some of the root causes of conflict in the Niger Delta. They expressed hope that the skills acquisition and empowerment scheme will help bridge the unemployment gap and foster long-term peace in the region.
Since the launch of the EU-backed project, several hundreds of young people in the Niger Delta have been engaged in training programmes that cut across entrepreneurship, technical trades, and vocational skills. The addition of the 2025 cycle is expected to expand the impact and bring more beneficiaries into sustainable economic activities.
For the beneficiaries, the programme represents a fresh opportunity to change their lives and contribute positively to their communities. With starter packs and follow-up support, organisers believe the initiative could help transform the economic landscape of participating states while reducing dependence on oil-related activities.
