Perceived effects of N-power agro programme on youth empowerment and income generation in Lagos state, Nigeria

The study examinedthe effect of N-power Agro program on youth empowerment and income generation in Lagos state, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of N-power agro beneficiaries, to determine the contribution of N-Agro toempowerment,to ascertain how N-Power agro programme generatesincome for the youths and to know theproblems affecting N-Power Agro programsin Lagos state. A three-stagesampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed withdescriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, meanand Analysis of Variance. The meanage of the respondents was 26 years,55.0% were male,50.8% were married and 42.5% were First Degree holders.Findings also revealed that80.0% felt the programme has improved their working experience,79.2% indicated that the programme has helped in poverty reduction while 62.5% perceived that the programmeensured their financial independence. The major problemsaffecting the implementation of N-Power Agro programmes in Lagos State arenon-payment of stipend to participants as at when due(̅= 2.92), insufficient information (̅= 2.68) and high transportation fare paid by the participants to work (̅= 2.63). The study also revealedthat there is a significant relationship betweenN-Power Agro andyouthempowermentin Lagos State. It is therefore recommended that government should ensure adequate provision of funds for income-generating projects through the N-Power programmes. This will solve the problem of delay in the payment of the stipend