The Federal Government of Nigeria has demanded for the allocation of N157.7 billion ($505million) in the 2017 budget estimates for the N-Power scheme to employ additional 350,000 unemployed graduates under the N-Power Volunteer Corps.

This was declared by Laolu Akande (photo), the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to Acting President Yemi Osinabjo, on Sunday.

He said “350,000 unemployed graduates would be hired and trained, alongside 50,000 non-graduates youths as artisans and in other creative ventures.” adding that last year 200,000 unemployed graduates were engaged as part of the scheme.

The N-Power is part of the Social Investment Programmes initiated by president Buhari to stimulate economy and improve living standards of populations. It aims to drastically reduce youth unemployment while focusing on providing young graduates and non-graduates with the skills, tools and livelihood to enable them advance to employment, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Anita Fatunji