Eighteen rescued Chibok girls have completed the first batch of the Federal Government’s vocational empowerment programme, receiving financial support and business equipment to help them become self-reliant.
The beneficiaries graduated during a ceremony held on Friday in Yola, where each of them was presented with a starter pack and a N1 million entrepreneurship grant.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, said 14 of the graduates were trained in tailoring, while four specialised in catering.
She disclosed that another 33 rescued Chibok girls currently participating in the programme would also receive N1 million each alongside starter packs after completing their training.
According to the minister, 12 Chibok girls expected to graduate from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in 2026 will equally benefit from a N1 million entrepreneurship grant.
She added that another 21 girls studying at AUN and due to graduate in 2027 will receive the same financial support upon graduation.
Suleiman-Ibrahim also announced assistance for the parents of the rescued girls, revealing that 221 parents will each receive N200,000, while additional support will include eight deep freezers, 10 sewing machines and three industrial sewing machines to improve their livelihoods.
Addressing the graduates, the minister urged them not to let the traumatic events of 12 years ago determine the course of their lives.
“Your identity is not your pain; your identity is your purpose,” she said.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring every survivor has access to opportunities that will help them heal, build sustainable careers and achieve economic independence.
