The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas ( NLNG) Limited has inducted 103 new beneficiaries into the 2026 cycle of its Vocational Innovation Business and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), reinforcing its commitment to youth enterprise development.
The induction ceremony held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, marks a new phase in consolidating company’s ongoing effort to strengthen skills development and support sustainable livelihoods in its host communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Sophia Horsfall, said the programme underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development.
“The VIBES programme reflects NLNG’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development in our host communities.
Through targeted capacity building, access to innovative support, and enterprise development opportunities, we are strengthening the local economy across our host and pipeline communities.
The graduation of one cohort and the induction of another showcase the continuity of our investment in youth empowerment, innovation, and enterprise development as key drivers of inclusive growth.”
Also speaking, NLNG Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Yemi Adeyemi, described the milestone as rewarding.
“When we supported them last year, it was not only with training but also with grants to help strengthen their businesses.”
Under the programme, participants will undergo structured capacity-building sessions covering financial management, marketing, business strategy and foundational legal knowledge.
The training will culminate in a competitive pitching phase where the most viable business proposals will be selected through clearly defined evaluation criteria.
At the ceremony, 26 beneficiaries from the previous cohort also graduated after completing their training and receiving grant support last year.
One year after receiving the grants, several graduates have strengthened operations, improved financial management practices and expanded their customer base.
Some have moved from early-stage ideas to more structured, revenue-generating enterprises, while others have scaled up production and diversified services, demonstrating measurable business growth and stronger operational stability.
