Presidential Amnesty Entrepreneurship Program (PAEP) on Youth Socio-Economic Status in Niger-Delta

Abstract

This study focuses on the impact of Presidential Amnesty Entrepreneurship Program (PAEP) on Youth Socio-Economic Status in Niger-Delta of Nigeria. The study used primary data and the population of the study consists of the Eight thousand and sixty-seven (8067) participants of the PAEP in the Niger Delta Region, out of which three hundred and eighty-two (382) participants were randomly selected as the sample size of the study using simple random sampling technique. The theoretical framework of the study is Schumpeter Effect theory. Structured questionnaires were used to gather information from the respondents and the information gathered was presented in tables, pie diagrams and graphs while SSPS was used to test for the impact of PAEPon youth socio-economic status in the Niger-Delta region. The results of the study showed that PAEP has a positive impact on the youth socio-economic status in the Niger-Delta region. The indicators and findings of the study show that PAEP has the socio-economic potentials to improve the wellbeing of the youths in the region and in the country at large. However, the challenges observed are that some delegates were selected, trained but not employed or empowered. Some did not benefit from the training, employment and empowerment. Therefore, the framework for PAEPshould be strengthened by the government by increasing the scope and the capacity of the program to accommodate more delegates, give support and empower all selected delegates for sustainable socio-economic development of the youth in the Niger Delta Region.