The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Programme Steering Committee (NPSC) for the Education and Youth Empowerment Programme in Northwest Nigeria (EYEPINN), a €40 million initiative aimed at transforming education and promoting youth development in the region.
The committee, inaugurated on Friday in Abuja, will provide strategic direction, policy guidance, and oversight for the EU-supported programme, which targets improved access to quality education, digital literacy, and vocational skills among young Nigerians.
Speaking during the event, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan — represented by Dr. Ejeh Usman — described EYEPINN as a flagship project under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He emphasized that the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to equitable access to quality education across all regions.
“The NPSC will coordinate multi-sectoral efforts to enhance foundational learning, strengthen teacher development, and equip young people with digital and vocational skills,” Enitan said.
Also speaking, Mr. Benjamin Nyanza Galadima of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning noted that the €40 million (₦69.9 billion) funding represents a shared commitment between the Federal Government and the European Union to boost human capital development. He added that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021–2025) and the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.
The EU Programme Manager, Ms. Kate Kanebi, explained that EYEPINN will promote safe learning environments, expand access to vocational education, and provide targeted support for girls and marginalized groups across the Northwest.
The NPSC, chaired by the Minister of Education, comprises representatives from key ministries, state governments, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and development partners including UNICEF, Plan International, the World Bank, and the EU Delegation to Nigeria.
According to the Ministry, the EYEPINN programme is designed to address educational disparities and empower youth with relevant skills for sustainable livelihoods in the Northwest geopolitical zone.
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