Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has approved a N500 million Youth Startup Support Programme aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and promoting business growth across the state.
The programme, to be implemented through the Taraba State Youth Development Agency, is expected to commence disbursement this month.
Under the initiative, successful applicants will receive grants ranging from N500,000 to N1 million to support and expand their businesses.
The state government said biometric capturing of existing business owners had already begun at the agency’s headquarters in Jalingo as part of preparations for the programme.
It added that arrangements were being finalised to establish registration centres across the 16 local government areas of the state to enable new business owners to participate in the scheme.
According to the government, the programme targets youths below the age of 40 who own existing businesses and require financial support to scale up their operations.
The initiative is expected to boost entrepreneurship, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic activities across the state.
Stakeholders have described the programme as a significant intervention aimed at addressing youth unemployment and supporting small businesses in Taraba.
The government urged eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity by completing the registration and verification processes ahead of the commencement of grant disbursement.
The programme forms part of the Kefas administration’s efforts to promote youth empowerment and inclusive economic development in the state.
