United Methodist Church Graduates 78 Youths from Technical Training Programme

Seventy-eight young Nigerians have graduated from the newly restored Technical Training Programme (TTP) of The United Methodist Church, with each beneficiary receiving a ₦100,000 seed grant to support the establishment of small businesses and vocational careers.

The graduation ceremony, announced by Bishop Ande Emmanuel, marked the completion of intensive vocational training aimed at equipping participants with practical skills to improve their livelihoods and promote economic self-reliance.

Speaking on the significance of the programme, Bishop Emmanuel said the church remains committed to empowering young people through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, noting that sustainable development requires investment in human capacity alongside spiritual growth.

He explained that the seed grants were designed to enable graduates to immediately begin applying the skills acquired during the training rather than allowing financial constraints to hinder their progress.

According to church officials, the Technical Training Programme forms part of broader initiatives intended to address unemployment and poverty by providing vocational education and practical business support for young people. The programme equips participants with marketable skills that can be used for self-employment or to secure gainful employment in various sectors.

The initiative reflects the growing role of faith-based organisations in complementing government efforts to tackle youth unemployment through education, entrepreneurship, and community development programmes.

Over the years, Bishop Emmanuel has advocated greater investment in youth development, arguing that empowering young people through education and vocational training contributes to reducing poverty, social exclusion, and insecurity. He has consistently encouraged religious institutions to develop programmes that provide practical solutions to the economic challenges facing communities.

Participants at the graduation ceremony expressed appreciation for the opportunity to acquire vocational skills and receive financial support to launch their businesses. Some described the programme as a life-changing intervention capable of improving their economic prospects.

Development experts have increasingly highlighted vocational education as an important tool for reducing unemployment, particularly among young people, with skills acquisition programmes viewed as critical to promoting entrepreneurship and strengthening local economies.

Church leaders indicated that the Technical Training Programme will continue as part of ongoing efforts to expand youth empowerment initiatives and provide more opportunities for skills development across communities served by the denomination.

The graduation of the 78 trainees underscores the church’s continued emphasis on combining faith-based ministry with practical interventions aimed at improving the social and economic well-being of individuals and families.