Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has inducted 103 new trainees into its 2026 Vocational Innovation Business and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), reinforcing its commitment to skills development and sustainable economic empowerment in its host communities.
The induction ceremony, held on Monday in Port Harcourt, marked another milestone in the company’s ongoing efforts to equip young entrepreneurs with the tools and support needed to build sustainable businesses.
Under the programme, the newly inducted trainees will undergo a structured series of capacity-building sessions designed to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills. The training will culminate in a competitive pitching phase where participants will present business proposals, with the most viable ideas selected based on clearly defined evaluation criteria.
At the same event, 26 beneficiaries from the previous cohort graduated after successfully completing their training. The participants, who had received grant support last year, marked the completion of their programme following a year of enterprise development.
One year after receiving support, several of the graduates have strengthened their operations, improved financial management practices, expanded their customer base, and transitioned from early-stage concepts to more structured, revenue-generating enterprises. Some have also scaled up production and diversified their service offerings, demonstrating measurable growth and improved operational stability.
Speaking at the ceremony, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable community development.
She said the VIBES programme reflects NLNG’s long-standing dedication to empowering communities through targeted capacity building and enterprise development opportunities.
According to her, the graduation of one cohort and the induction of another demonstrate the continuity of NLNG’s investment in youth empowerment, innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers of inclusive economic growth in its host and pipeline communities.
Horsfall noted that VIBES represents a strategic intervention aligned with the company’s broader sustainable development objectives, aimed at cultivating entrepreneurial capabilities and strengthening networks required for emerging business leaders and community change-makers to thrive.
Also speaking, Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Yemi Adeyemi, described the milestone as rewarding, highlighting the visible progress made by members of the graduating cohort.
He explained that the beneficiaries were supported not only with training but also with grants to help strengthen their businesses.
Adeyemi noted that one year after the support was provided, many of the businesses have expanded, with several ideas progressing beyond the planning stage while the entrepreneurs have become more confident in managing their ventures.
The VIBES programme is designed to equip young entrepreneurs with practical knowledge in financial management, marketing, business strategy, and basic legal principles. Participants also benefit from mentorship and advisory support from experienced professionals.
This integrated approach combines capacity development with funding support, enabling participants to scale their businesses, improve profitability and build sustainable enterprises.
Economic empowerment remains a key component of NLNG’s broader sustainable development agenda, alongside education, infrastructure and healthcare initiatives.
A statement issued by the company’s Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, noted that following the relaunch of the programme, 26 participants have so far benefited from grants and successfully completed their training under the initiative.
Through the VIBES initiative, NLNG aims to support more young entrepreneurs in building viable businesses, creating economic value and contributing to the socio-economic development of host and pipeline communities across Rivers State.
