An Assessment of N-Power Socio-Economic Policy on Youth Empowerment in South-West Geo-Political Zone in Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluates the effectiveness of the N-Power socio-economic policy in empowering youths in Nigeria, particularly in the South-West geo-political zone (Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos). In order to assess the program’s impact and challenges in addressing the issue of youth unemployment, the study used both primary and secondary data sources. The research gathered primary data through questionnaires and in-depth interviews, while the secondary data was collected from relevant texts, internet materials, magazines, and official publications about the N-Power empowerment program. Statistical analyses such as frequency tables, percentages, and chi-square were used to analyse the data, The study found that the program has made a little impart in creating jobs and wealth. This is due to the program’s design neglecting the beneficiaries’ impactful participation, leading to targeting problems and threatening the program’s sustainability. The study concludes that N-Power empowerment policies have the measures that could significantly impact youth employment and job creation in the selected states in Nigeria. However, it falls short due to several constraints. Therefore, the study recommends that the government should pursue an outward-oriented economy. In the pursuit of an outward-oriented economy, the top policy option available to the government is the revamping of the country’s productive base through massive rehabilitation of the nation’s infrastructure