False claims that YEIDEP disbursement has started are currently spreading across the internet, even though no official payment has been confirmed. At the same time, the February 2026 training earlier promised to Batch A beneficiaries did not take place. Many young Nigerians who registered for the programme say they now feel confused and used, as there has been no clear statement from the Federal Government explaining the delay.
The Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP) was earlier presented as a structured empowerment plan that would begin with training before any financial support, including the reported ₦500,000 grant. Officials had repeatedly said preparation would come first, while cash support would only follow after proper training.
The Minister of Youth Development, , had explained that 2025 was used for planning, registration, and verification of beneficiaries. According to him, February 2026 would mark the move from planning to real action, starting with training and empowerment activities.
Also, Sani Musa Denja, Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Youth and Sports Development, had stated that the first phase of empowerment would be completed by February 2026, with training expected to begin within that period. He said banks had already captured large numbers of youths and were ready to support the process before disbursement.
However, February has passed without any confirmed training programme for YEIDEP beneficiaries. No official training timetable was released, and no clear update has been provided on when activities will begin.
Instead, during the same February period, the YEIDEP Coordinator-General, Kennedy Iyere, posted personal videos on Facebook criticizing . This development has raised more questions among beneficiaries who expected programme activities, not political exchanges.
Another worrying development is that the official YEIDEP website, yeidep.org, is currently not accessible. Many beneficiaries say this has increased their doubts about the programme’s direction.
Apart from meetings and stakeholder gatherings in different states, there has been no clear progress. The most recent public update was the inauguration of a YEIDEP committee in Kano, but no specific date for training or disbursement was announced.
Beneficiaries say the situation now looks like repeated announcements meant to keep hope alive, while nothing concrete is happening. With rumors of ₦500,000 grants circulating online and no official clarification, many young Nigerians are demanding transparency.
For now, YEIDEP remains in uncertainty, with registered beneficiaries still waiting for the training and empowerment activities that were promised to begin in February 2026.
