Nigerian govt pays N11 billion to YouWin awardees

The Federal Government says it has disbursed over N11 billion to the beneficiaries of the third edition of the YouWiN! programme from 2015 to date.

The Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Finance, Salisu Dambatta, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said that out of the amount, N8.52 billion was disbursed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

According to Mr. Dambatta, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, disclosed this while releasing the last payment of N125.64 million for disbursement to the final 61 beneficiaries of the third edition.

“By January 2018, the total amount disbursed to beneficiaries of the third edition of the YouWiN! programme will be N11, 121, 031, 260, of which the current administration has disbursed N8, 522, 545,038,” she said.

Mrs. Adeosun said the amount was disbursed to 1, 500 beneficiaries who have started or expanded their business across a variety of sectors, including information and communication technology, manufacturing, services and agricultural production and processing.

She said that other areas covered under the third edition were fashion and entertainment, while various technical supports were extended to over 18, 000 beneficiaries in the areas of access to markets and finance.

She said that the YouWin beneficiaries also had capacity building training in business management, accounting and operations.

On assuming office as the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Adeosun reviewed and restructured the programme to YouWiN! Connect.

YouWiN! Connect is currently providing online capacity building to more than 61,000 beneficiaries across the country.

The next stage of the YouWiN! Connect Programme will involve sector specific in-class training to successful beneficiaries and the development of franchise infrastructure. (NAN)