FG Graduates Rescued Chibok Girls In Vocational Skills, Gives Each ₦1m Grant

The federal government has graduated 18 rescued Chibok girls from the first batch of its vocational skills acquisition programme, providing each beneficiary with business starter packs and a ₦1 million entrepreneurship grant to support their transition into self-reliance.

The graduation ceremony, held in Yola, Adamawa State, marked the completion of training for the first group of beneficiaries under the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development’s empowerment initiative.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, the rescued Chibok girls were presented with starter packs and cash, all worth N128.2 million, as entrepreneurship grants.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, said 14 of the graduates received training in tailoring, while four specialised in catering services. She said each graduate was presented with vocational equipment alongside a ₦1 million grant to establish a business.

The minister disclosed that the second batch of the programme, comprising 33 rescued Chibok girls currently undergoing training, would also receive starter packs and ₦1 million each upon graduation.

She further announced that 12 rescued Chibok girls who are expected to graduate from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in 2026 would equally benefit from the ₦1 million entrepreneurship grant.

According to her, another 21 Chibok girls currently studying at AUN and expected to complete their studies in 2027 would also receive the same support after graduation.

Suleiman-Ibrahim added that the government would extend assistance to the parents of the rescued girls as part of efforts to rebuild families affected by the insurgency.

She said 221 parents would each receive ₦200,000 in financial support, in addition to empowerment tools, including eight deep freezers, 10 sewing machines and three industrial machines to improve their livelihoods.

“We are working to ensure that every survivor has not only the opportunity to recover but also the platform to lead, innovate and prosper,” the minister said.

Encouraging the beneficiaries to look beyond their painful past, Suleiman-Ibrahim urged them not to allow the tragic events that brought them global attention over a decade ago to define their future.

“Your identity is not your pain; your identity is your purpose. The world once knew your story because of a heartbreaking event.

“From today, let the world know you because of your excellence, your achievements, your creativity and your contributions,” she said.

Also speaking, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Neido Kofulto, commended the Federal Government for rescuing the girls from captivity and equipping them with practical skills for economic independence.

She urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the training to become productive and self-reliant members of society.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Modibbo Adama University Consultancy Services, Prof. Ibrahim Danjuma, congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the programme.

He expressed optimism that the vocational training would equip them to become successful entrepreneurs and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.