A capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening the economic independence of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has begun in Abuja, with participants receiving training in entrepreneurship and phone repair skills.
The initiative, organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), was announced during a training session held on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, SMEDAN’s Acting Director of Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Philip Udeochu, said the programme was designed to promote self-reliance among vulnerable groups through practical business and vocational training.
He explained that the intervention aligns with the agency’s broader mandate of integrating underserved populations into Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem.
According to him, the programme targets several vulnerable categories, including retirees, prison inmates, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons, with the current phase focusing on IDPs.
He noted that participants are being trained in entrepreneurship alongside technical instruction in mobile phone repairs and maintenance to improve their income-generating capacity.
“We are intentional about building capacity among people who are often left out of economic opportunities. This programme is about inclusion and empowerment,” he said.
He added that beneficiaries would undergo assessments at the end of the training and would be supported with startup tools to help them establish their own businesses.
“This is not just about training. Participants will be evaluated, and those who complete the programme successfully will receive the equipment needed to begin work. We also plan to provide continuous mentorship,” he added.
Udeochu further stated that future phases of the initiative would extend to other vulnerable groups based on available resources.
During the training sessions, facilitators guided participants on identifying viable business opportunities, basic marketing strategies, customer relations, and sustaining profitable enterprises.
They were encouraged to adopt innovative thinking, persistence, and strong business discipline as key traits for success in entrepreneurship.
Participants also received practical lessons on customer needs assessment, service delivery, and profit management techniques.
One of the trainees, Mr. Ikilowe Eric, who lives with a physical disability, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the phone repair skill offers him a flexible and suitable means of livelihood.
He said he intends to establish his own repair business within the next six months and later train others in the field.
Another participant, Mr. Zeyano Abubakar, also commended the initiative, describing the training as a valuable opportunity for personal and economic development.
The programme reflects ongoing efforts to promote inclusive growth by equipping vulnerable groups with practical skills aimed at improving their long-term financial stability.