N-HYPPADEC Warns YTP Participants: Submit Guarantor Letters or Forfeit Starter Kits

Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, Managing Director of the National Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), has warned participants of the Youth Transformation Program (YTP) that they will not receive their starter kits if they fail to submit guarantor letters.

Yelwa issued the warning during a YTP training event in Minna, Niger State, organized in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). He explained that the requirement for guarantor letters aims to prevent recipients from selling their starter kits immediately after receiving them.

"In order to ensure that beneficiaries take ownership of their businesses and utilize the resources provided adequately, the Commission requires a guarantor’s letter," Yelwa stated. "So far, over 70 percent of the beneficiaries have presented their guarantor letters, while others are yet to do so. If they fail to submit their letters, we will not give them their kits."

Yelwa noted that approximately 5,000 young people selected from the six N-HYPPADEC member states—Niger, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Kogi, and Kebbi—have received training in various skills and are awaiting their starter kits.

To further support the beneficiaries, the Commission has partnered with the CAC to ensure that each participant’s business is officially registered at no cost. The Commission secured a 50 percent discount rate for business registration, making the process more accessible.

Yelwa also explained that following a risk assessment study in 2021, the Commission identified youth unemployment as a significant issue and decided to act by providing meaningful livelihood opportunities for young people in member states.

The Managing Director highlighted that the youth received training in 32 distinct skill sets, facilitated by the Commission in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).