The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has relaunched one of its flagship economic empowerment programmes, unveiling expanded business support and $1,300 grants each to boost 50 small businesses and youth-led enterprises across its more than 110 host and pipeline communities in Rivers State.

The scheme, formerly known as the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), was rebranded to ensure the growth and sustainability of small businesses in the state.

The scheme, now known as Vocational, Innovation, Business, and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), is designed to build on the achievements of YES by ensuring advancement.

Speaking at the relaunch event in Port Harcourt, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, said the initiative reflects NLNG’s long-term vision of community transformation through entrepreneurship.

“NLNG believes that entrepreneurship is not just about starting and running a business, it is about creating opportunities that uplift the communities to drive economic growth and spark positive social change,” Horsfall stated.

“In line with NLNG’s vision of improving lives sustainably, VIBES is a deliberate programme to engender entrepreneurial knowledge and the networks needed to grow entrepreneurs and change-makers in our communities.”

Since its inception in 2004, the YES programme trained over 1,400 youths in vocational fields including Automotive Engineering, Advanced Welding, Catering and Hotel Management, Fashion Designing and Cosmetology, Farm Management, ICT, and Photography and Video Production.

However, fewer than 300 of the trained entrepreneurs currently operate viable businesses — a gap the VIBES programme seeks to close through targeted support, funding, and mentorship.

Dr. Horsfall, represented at the event by the Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Charles Epelle, emphasized that the relaunch was driven by the need to modernize empowerment strategies.

She said, “We believe that VIBES will foster an environment where individuals can create businesses, generate employment, and become innovators. This belief drives our commitment to nurturing local capacity and enabling individuals to become creators of jobs, wealth, and lasting impact.”

He further explained that VIBES is a contemporary solution, offering “enhanced support through networking opportunities, grants, resources, and mentorship to help participants refine and scale up their ideas.”

He said, “In conceptualizing VIBES, NLNG assembled experts in entrepreneurship, business development, law, technology and innovations, and several other fields for continued training and mentorship of the select business operators to ensure continued survival, growth, and sustainability of such businesses.

“VIBES will provide comprehensive business training, which includes courses on financial management, marketing, strategic planning, law and legal practices, and more. It shall also provide personalized advisory services and structured mentorship from seasoned business professionals to the participants.

“Beneficiaries will be administered professional, practical, participative training designed to build robust technical and managerial capacity.

“Participants in the top 50 will receive a grant of $1,300 each, disbursed in two tranches. This funding is intended to help upscale their business and is part of a broader support system that includes mentorship, networking, and additional advisory services.

“In the end, the VIBES Alumni Network will be created and is designed to provide continued mentorship, networking, and support after the completion of the programme, helping past beneficiaries to share experiences and access further opportunities.

“Economic Empowerment is one of the four pillars of NLNG’s community development drive. Others are education, infrastructure development, and healthcare.”