NIAI Graduates 150 Nigerians, Opens Eight Income Activation Pathways

The National Income Activation Initiative (NIAI) has qualified 150 Nigerians for income activation opportunities across eight vendor pathways as part of efforts to promote economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.

The initiative disclosed this at its first national graduation and income activation ceremony, held virtually and attended by government representatives, private-sector leaders, participating vendors and beneficiaries.

The Wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, Mrs Gloria Diri, congratulated the graduates and commended the initiative for its focus on economic empowerment and human capacity development.

Diri urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate discipline, perseverance and consistency as they embark on income-generating activities, describing the graduation as a significant transition from learning to earning.

The Lead of NIAI, Khuraira Musa, said the initiative was established to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and actual income generation.

She explained that its guiding philosophy, “Learn, Activate, Earn,” was designed to connect participants with practical commercial opportunities rather than leave them with certificates after training.

Musa, however, clarified that qualifying for income activation did not necessarily mean participants had started earning, adding that the initiative’s success would be measured by verified income generation and sustainable livelihoods.

According to her, NIAI coordinates participant screening, assessment, matching, activation, monitoring and reporting, while participating vendors provide specialised training, market opportunities and operational support.

She said the vendor pathways covered digital services, product marketing, entrepreneurship, agriculture, beauty, commodity distribution and other income-generating activities.

“Vendor pathways are the specific income-generating opportunities offered by our partner businesses, including agriculture, digital services, beauty, commodity distribution and other sectors.

“Participants are screened, matched, trained by vendors and assessed for activation,” she said.

Musa added that registration, onboarding, training, assessment and income activation were free, noting that the initiative’s sustainability model relied on institutional partnerships, development support and ethical commercial arrangements with vendors.

She also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima for their administration’s commitment to economic and financial inclusion.

In a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Mrs Oluseye Olutimayin, the Presidential Technical Adviser on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Dr Nurudeen Zauro emphasised the need to link skills acquisition with measurable economic outcomes.

The address, titled “Beyond Skills Acquisition: Advancing Economic and Financial Inclusion Through Sustainable Income Opportunities,” highlighted the importance of market access, financial services and sustainable livelihoods.

Zauro recommended tracking participants’ earnings and economic progress over three, six and 12 months to assess the initiative’s impact.

The Federal Commissioner representing Jigawa State at the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Hauwa Aliyu, urged the graduates to apply their skills productively and explore entrepreneurship opportunities.

Similarly, Iklima Musa Salihu, Special Assistant to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency on Strategic Partnerships, encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning, innovation and emerging technologies.

Dr Abdulrashid Yerima, Regional President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the West Africa Private Sector Entrepreneurs Association, expressed the association’s readiness to explore collaboration with NIAI in entrepreneurship development, mentorship and vendor partnerships.

LEADERSHIP reports that NIAI, which was officially unveiled on August 19, has registered more than 1,000 participants across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory within two months of its launch.

Of the registered participants, 452 have been onboarded, while 150 qualified for income activation through eight vendor pathways. The initiative has also engaged 32 vendors.