Joy Agwunobi
Egbin Power Plc has rolled out a technology-driven empowerment programme aimed at equipping young people from its host communities of Egbin, Ijede and Ipakan with practical digital skills that can improve their chances in today’s fast-changing job market.
The initiative, which falls under the company’s Personal Corporate Social Responsibility (PCSR) framework, is targeted at addressing youth unemployment and widening access to opportunities within the digital economy. By focusing on in-demand technology skills, the programme is designed to help participants secure employment, build businesses of their own, and contribute more meaningfully to their local economies.
Speaking at the launch, Mokhtar Bounour, chief executive officer of Egbin Power Plc, said the programme reflects the company’s belief that sustainable development must be people-centred, especially in communities that host major infrastructure assets.
According to him, Egbin Power’s responsibility does not end with generating electricity for the national grid but extends to empowering the people who live around its operations.
“In today’s digital age, technology is no longer optional. It is a critical driver of economic inclusion and growth. If communities are left out of the digital economy, development becomes uneven and ultimately unsustainable. That is why deliberate and targeted interventions like this are necessary,” Bounour said.
He explained that the empowerment programme was conceived to close this gap by giving young people access to relevant, market-ready digital skills that align with current and future workforce needs. Beyond employability, the initiative is also expected to stimulate entrepreneurship and create new income-generating opportunities within the three communities.
The first cohort of the programme brings together beneficiaries from Egbin, Ijede and Ipakan for intensive and structured training across several technology fields. These include ICT fundamentals, graphic design, full-stack web development, digital marketing, cybersecurity and data analytics.
According to the company, the training model blends classroom learning with hands-on practical sessions to ensure participants gain real-world experience rather than just theoretical knowledge. This approach, Egbin Power noted, is aimed at helping beneficiaries build confidence and competence that can translate into tangible outcomes after the programme.
Participants were selected through a screening process that focused not only on academic background but also on curiosity, determination and willingness to learn. The company said this was intentional, as attitude and commitment are often as important as technical ability in building long-term success.
In addition to technical skills, the programme places strong emphasis on workplace and life skills. Beneficiaries will receive training in areas such as ethics, problem-solving, teamwork, professionalism and responsible use of digital tools, all of which are increasingly important in modern work environments.
Bounour urged participants to see themselves as ambassadors of the initiative, stressing that their conduct and progress would be closely watched as a measure of the programme’s impact. He encouraged them to uphold values such as integrity, discipline and service, noting that these qualities are essential for sustaining both personal and community growth.
He also reminded the beneficiaries that the programme carries a broader responsibility beyond individual success.
“You have a responsibility to your communities.Learn with character, share your knowledge, mentor others and use these skills to solve real problems around you. The true legacy of this programme will not just be certificates or jobs, but the ripple effects it creates through shared success,” he said.
The launch of the tech empowerment programme reinforces Egbin Power Plc’s wider commitment to long-term community development, trust-building and value creation in its host areas. The company reaffirmed that investing in people remains central to its sustainability strategy, particularly as Nigeria continues to position itself for growth in the digital economy.
