ISSN 2360-798X
Abstract: The N-power social investment program's perceived impact on youth empowerment in Nigeria's Ondo State was investigated in this study. A multi-stage sampling process was employed to choose 162 program participants from throughout the state. Descriptive statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, and ranking using a five-point Likert scale, were used to analyze the data and ascertain the beneficiaries' level of engagement. The hypothesis was tested using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient (r). The results indicate that the program's male counterparts (64.8%) dominated the beneficiaries, with a mean age of 22.5 years. All of the recipients (100%) could read and write, and the majority of them (78%) were single. Thirty-nine (35.7%) were in N-power Health, thirty-six (33.3%) were in N-power Teach, and fifty-eight (35.6%) were in N-power Agro. Beneficiaries of N-power Teach engaged in a greater amount of teaching and exam supervision than they did in agricultural operations. The correlation analysis results show that the impact of the N-power program and income had a positive significant link (r=0.502, P≤0.05). The impact of the N-power program was significantly but negatively correlated (r=-0.1025, P≤ 0.01) with educational level. The program's beneficiaries faced several major challenges, including a subpar recruitment procedure, a backlog in receiving monthly stipends, and a lackluster response to the needs of the participants. The study came to the conclusion that in order to reduce unemployment, the government needed to step up her efforts to make the program more engaging for young people. It is advised that sufficient funds be allocated to the initiative, simplifying the hiring process, and providing substantial and consistent monthly allowances.
Keywords: Perceived effect, N-power social investment, Youth empowerment.