By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has expanded its flagship economic empowerment initiative, the Vocational Innovation Business and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), with the induction of 103 new beneficiaries into its 2026 programme, reinforcing its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable community development.
The induction ceremony, held in Port Harcourt on Monday, marked another milestone in NLNG’s sustained efforts to equip young entrepreneurs with practical skills, business knowledge, and financial support needed to thrive in a competitive economic environment.
The newly inducted participants are expected to undergo an intensive and structured training programme focused on capacity building. The sessions will culminate in a competitive pitching phase, where participants will present business proposals to be evaluated based on clearly defined criteria, with the most viable ideas receiving further support.
In parallel, NLNG celebrated the graduation of 26 beneficiaries from the previous cohort, who successfully completed their training cycle. These graduates had earlier received grant support to strengthen their businesses, and the completion of their programme marks the transition from training to enterprise sustainability.
One year after receiving financial and technical support, several of the graduates have demonstrated measurable progress. According to NLNG, beneficiaries have improved their financial management practices, expanded their customer base, and evolved from early-stage business concepts into structured, revenue-generating ventures. Some have also scaled up production and diversified their services, indicating stronger operational stability and growth.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at Nigeria LNG Limited, Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to long-term community development through strategic empowerment initiatives.
She said, “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.”
Horsfall further described VIBES as a strategic intervention aligned with NLNG’s broader sustainability agenda, noting that the programme is designed not only to build entrepreneurial capacity but also to foster networks that enable emerging business leaders and community change-makers to succeed.
Also speaking, the Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Yemi Adeyemi, expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the graduating cohort, describing it as evidence of the programme’s tangible impact.
“When we supported them last year, it was not only with training but also with grants to help strengthen their businesses. A year later, we can see the difference—businesses are expanding, ideas have moved beyond the planning stage, and the beneficiaries are more confident in managing their ventures. That is the essence of VIBES, practical support that helps people make real progress,” he said.
The VIBES initiative is designed as a comprehensive empowerment platform that provides participants with hands-on training in key areas such as financial management, marketing, business strategy, and basic legal principles. The programme also incorporates mentorship and advisory support from seasoned professionals, ensuring participants receive guidance throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
NLNG noted that economic empowerment remains a central pillar of its broader corporate social responsibility framework, alongside investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Through the VIBES programme, the company aims to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of creating economic value and driving development within host and pipeline communities across Rivers State.
Following the relaunch of the initiative, 26 participants have so far benefited from grant support and completed their training, with the newly inducted cohort expected to further expand the programme’s reach and impact.
