VeryDarkMan (VDM) has announced a significant increase in the amount of money he sets aside every month to support young Nigerians learning vocational skills, using the announcement to launch another criticism of the Federal Government's approach to youth empowerment.
The social media activist said he will now provide ₦1.5 million every month to sponsor vocational training for six people, encouraging young Nigerians to learn practical skills that can help them become financially independent.
The announcement comes amid growing national conversations about unemployment, entrepreneurship, and the government's economic policies affecting Nigerian youths.
The Backstory
The controversy was triggered after comments widely attributed to Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, circulated online. The remarks encouraged Nigerians, particularly women and young people to embrace small businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn, and producing kuli-kuli as legitimate means of earning a living.
While many defended the message as promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance, critics argued that it reflected a lack of ambitious economic opportunities for young Nigerians struggling with unemployment and the rising cost of living.
VDM quickly joined the conversation, using the remarks to question what he described as the government's limited vision for youth empowerment.
"At Least Now You Will Value Me"
Speaking in a video shared on his social media platforms, VDM said he has already been sponsoring vocational training for Nigerians every month but has now decided to increase the amount after hearing the government's message.
He announced that his monthly empowerment budget would increase to ₦1.5 million, with six beneficiaries selected every month to learn vocational skills of their choice.
Why VDM Is Focusing on Vocational Skills
This is not the first time VDM has promoted vocational training as an alternative to unemployment.
Over the past year, he has repeatedly encouraged young Nigerians to learn practical trades such as:
• Welding
• Plumbing
• Electrical installation
• Fashion design
• Hairdressing
• Carpentry
• Auto mechanics
• Phone and gadget repairs
According to him, acquiring a marketable skill provides a more reliable path to financial independence than waiting indefinitely for white-collar employment.
His empowerment initiative has become one of the recurring features of his activism, alongside his campaigns on insecurity, voter education, and government accountability.
Mixed Reactions Online
The announcement generated thousands of reactions across social media.
Many Nigerians applauded VDM for backing his words with financial support, arguing that vocational training remains one of the fastest ways for unemployed youths to earn a sustainable income.
Others, however, criticized his repeated attacks on the government, saying entrepreneurship should not be mocked simply because it involves small businesses. Some argued that countless successful Nigerian entrepreneurs began by selling everyday products before building larger enterprises.
Supporters countered that VDM's criticism was less about selling akara or kuli-kuli and more about what they perceive as the absence of broader economic opportunities capable of absorbing Nigeria's rapidly growing youth population.
A Bigger Debate About Youth Empowerment
Beyond the online exchanges, the discussion has evolved into a wider debate about what genuine youth empowerment should look like.
Should government focus on encouraging small businesses and vocational skills as the quickest route to self-employment, or should greater attention be placed on creating large-scale jobs, industrial growth, and economic reforms that generate long-term employment?
VDM's latest announcement has ensured that conversation remains firmly in the public spotlight.
Question For Discussion:
Is vocational training the most practical solution to Nigeria's youth unemployment crisis, or should the government be creating more large-scale employment opportunities instead?