The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development says no fewer than five million candidates have applied for the N-Power program.

The Minister, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday by her Special Assistant on Strategic Communication, Mrs. Halima Oyelade.

“A total of 5,042,001 Nigerian youths have applied as at the end of the registration.

“Due diligence will be applied during the next stages of the selection to ensure that only duly qualified applicants are enrolled.

“The Ministry will ensure that the applicants as well as the general public, are fully informed on the progress of the scheme,” she said.

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According to Farouq, the N-Power program is aimed at providing the Nigerian youths with opportunities to gain skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

She further stressed that it would also go a long way in assisting the country towards the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

The minister added that women and persons with disabilities will be given priority during the selection.

“The Ministry remains committed to the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to lift 100 million Nigerians out of Poverty in the next 10 years.

“However, the N-power Programme is one of the platforms that can assist in the realization of that vision,” she said.