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Ukorebi Esien | July 16, 2026
CALABAR – No fewer than 4,500 youths across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State are set to benefit from a comprehensive skills acquisition, empowerment and scholarship programme approved by Governor Bassey Edet Otu as part of his administration's commitment to tackling unemployment and promoting sustainable economic development.
The initiative, which forms part of the Cross River State Youth Development Summit, Training and Empowerment 2026, is expected to equip beneficiaries with practical, industry-relevant skills, startup support and educational opportunities to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capacity.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Dr. Julius Obanghe Kijuo, KSJI, said the programme reflects Governor Otu's determination to move beyond short-term interventions by investing in the long-term economic empowerment of young people.
According to him, beneficiaries between the ages of 18 and 40 will receive training in a wide range of sectors, including digital technology, vocational and technical skills, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, entrepreneurship and the creative industry.
The digital skills component will cover areas such as digital marketing, content creation, programming, robotics, drone technology and artificial intelligence, while vocational training will include welding and fabrication, tailoring, cake making, entrepreneurship and other market-driven trades.
The programme will also provide opportunities for young people seeking careers in modern agriculture, tourism, green economy and renewable energy, alongside support for indigenous talents in music and movie production. Outstanding applicants will equally benefit from a one-year pre-degree scholarship in a university.
In a major boost to the initiative, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives, Monitoring and Delivery, Dr. Titilope Gbadamosi, has officially endorsed the programme following an engagement with Dr. Kijuo.
Dr. Gbadamosi commended Governor Otu and his People First administration for prioritising youth development through what she described as a strategic investment capable of transforming the livelihoods of thousands of young people across the state.
She noted that empowering young people with relevant skills remains one of the most effective approaches to reducing unemployment, stimulating innovation and driving economic growth.
To ensure inclusiveness, the state government said training will be conducted across the three senatorial districts, while application forms will be made available at the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development at the Ministry of Youth in Calabar, as well as all 18 Local Government Council Headquarters to accommodate applicants, particularly those in rural communities with limited internet access.
An online application portal has also been provided to enable interested youths to register conveniently.
See the link here; https://bit.ly/3Tp6wVj
Dr. Kijuo assured prospective applicants that the selection process would be transparent, merit-based and free from political or financial influence.
He stressed that the application forms are free of charge and warned members of the public against paying money to any individual or group for access to the programme.
The youth development summit and empowerment programme is expected to contribute significantly to the state's human capital development agenda by creating a skilled workforce, encouraging entrepreneurship and expanding opportunities for young people to become self-reliant.
The initiative aligns with Governor Otu's broader vision of building a prosperous Cross River State through strategic investments in people, innovation and inclusive economic growth.
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