Nigeria LNG Limited has inducted 103 new trainees into its Vocational Innovation Business and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES) as part of efforts to strengthen youth entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in its host communities across Rivers State.
The new cohort was formally inducted during a ceremony held in Port Harcourt on Monday, marking another phase in the company’s long-running programme aimed at building sustainable livelihoods through business development and skills acquisition.
The induction was disclosed in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the NLNG Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
According to the statement, the newly inducted trainees will undergo a structured programme designed to build entrepreneurial capacity and support the development of viable small businesses.
Participants will take part in a series of intensive training sessions covering business development, financial management, marketing strategies, and other practical enterprise skills required to build and manage sustainable ventures.
The programme will culminate in a competitive pitching stage where trainees will present their business ideas, with the most promising proposals selected based on clearly defined evaluation criteria.
NLNG said the process is designed not only to equip participants with technical and business knowledge but also to expose them to mentorship and practical support that can help transform ideas into functioning enterprises.
Speaking during the induction ceremony, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the initiative reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to promoting sustainable development within its host communities.
“The VIBES programme reflects NLNG’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development in our host communities,” Horsfall said.
“Through targeted capacity building, access to innovative support, and enterprise development opportunities, we are strengthening the local economy across our host and pipeline communities.”
She noted that the programme was deliberately structured to nurture innovation and empower young people to become business owners capable of contributing to economic growth within their communities.
“The programme is designed to cultivate entrepreneurial capability and strengthen the networks required for emerging business leaders and community change-makers to thrive within their communities,” she added.
The induction event also featured the graduation of 26 participants from the previous cohort who completed their training under the scheme after receiving grant support in the preceding year.
NLNG explained that many of the graduates had demonstrated measurable progress in their businesses within a year of receiving training and financial support.
Several of the beneficiaries have strengthened their operational structures, improved financial management practices, expanded their customer base, and moved from early-stage ideas to more structured and revenue-generating enterprises.
Some have also scaled up production capacity and diversified their service offerings, reflecting growth in both operational stability and market reach.
The Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Yemi Adeyemi, said the progress recorded by the graduating cohort showed the tangible impact of the programme.
“When we supported them last year, it was not only with training but also with grants to help strengthen their businesses,” Adeyemi said.
“A year later, we can see the difference — businesses are expanding, ideas have moved beyond the planning stage, and the beneficiaries are more confident in managing their ventures.”
“That is the essence of VIBES: practical support that helps people make real progress.”
