The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has introduced a new initiative aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs in Rivers State. Known as the Vocational, Innovation, Business, and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), the programme is designed to equip participants with business skills and financial support to build sustainable ventures.
Launched in Port Harcourt on Monday, the scheme was unveiled by NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, and represented by the Community Relations Manager, Charles Epelle. According to Horsfall, the VIBES programme will benefit over 110 host and pipeline communities across Rivers. The top 50 performers will receive grants worth $1,300 each, delivered in two tranches alongside mentorship and business support.
“Beneficiaries will undergo professional, practical, and participatory training designed to build robust technical and managerial capacities,” she said.
A Shift Towards Sustainable Impact
VIBES replaces the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), which ran from 2004 and trained more than 1,400 youths in areas such as ICT, welding, fashion, catering, farm management, and photography. Despite this large intake, only around 300 participants successfully built lasting businesses, prompting a review of the scheme’s structure and long-term impact.
With the new model, NLNG hopes to go beyond training by offering structured support to help participants thrive in competitive markets. The programme was developed in collaboration with professionals from the fields of entrepreneurship, law, technology, and innovation. Participants will also benefit from networking platforms, mentorship opportunities, and post-training support.
“We’re not just helping young people start businesses,” Horsfall noted, “we’re investing in the future by building job creators and agents of transformation.”
The company believes VIBES will outperform its predecessor by ensuring a more targeted, measurable outcome. With added emphasis on entrepreneurial strategy and sustainability, the goal is to drive inclusive economic growth in NLNG’s host communities.
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I am passionate about crafting stories, vibing to good music (and making some too), debating Nigeria’s political future like it’s the World Cup, and finding the perfect quiet spot to work and unwind.
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