The N-Power program is one of Nigeria’s Federal Government’s Social Investment Programs, which was created to recruit and empower unemployed Nigerian youths. This article aims to inform you about the next batch if you could not apply for the just concluded batch. Learn how to log into the NPower assessment test portal and write the Npower test.
Be informed that for you to get to the NPower assessment stage, you must have passed the phase of NPower Recruitment and Registration. The NPower recruitment is divided into stages, including registration, validation, test, verification, deployment, etc. These stages make it easy for the management to screen out unqualified applicants.
All You Need to Know About the NPower Program
The NPower scheme aims to equip eligible Nigerians with large-scale skills related to the federal government’s economic, employment, and social development policies. The program was established by President Muhammadu Buhari to solve the challenges of unemployment facing Nigerian youths by providing adequate and short-term training, to curb inadequate public services in the country.
All the modular programs under NPower will train participants on their chosen skills enough to either find a job or create an appropriate source of income. The Federal Government targets to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years with the N-Power program. In a bid to do that, it increased the number of yearly beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1 million in May 2021. The program engages Nigerian youths and pays them from N10,000 to N30,000 allowance for a period of two years.
What is the Purpose of NPower?
The sole purpose of N-Power is to diversify Nigeria’s economy by acquainting the youths with the knowledge of the economy. The Nigerian Government uses it to improve its technology sector by training and supporting software developers, digital artists, hardware professionals, and other technology-based skills. It is on a mission to move Nigerians from poverty to the middle class through technical skills training and providing quality job placements for them.
With the NPower knowledge, there will be a spread of graphic artists, software developers, animators, building service professionals, hardware service professionals, artisans, etc. It also considers non-graduates equipped with relevant business and technical skills to improve their work output and livelihood.
The NPower Program Has Many Categories
The NPower program is made up of the graduate and non-graduate categories. This is to engage both the educated, semi-educated and uneducated Nigerians.
The N-Power Graduate Category
This category focuses more on Volunteer Corps and is for university graduates. It is a paid post-tertiary involvement for degree and HND holders between ages 18 to 35 for a certain duration – precisely 2 years. Each year, the Federal Government tries to engage thousands, usually 200,000, 300,000, and 1 million volunteers, who are university graduates and non-graduates. These volunteers will showcase their academic prowess by teaching, instructing, and providing advisory solutions in three key areas of the NPower – Agro, Health, and Teach.
For the stipulated period, the selected candidates will perform their primary tasks at their assigned and identified public services within their nearest communities. Also, each volunteer is given a computing device that contains information about their specific assignment and that of continuous training and development.
N-Agro
N-Power Agro is one of the key areas of the NPower program. It is designed to provide services to farmers across the country. The program has two main groups; one group is in charge of the urban areas while the second group is in charge of the rural areas. One group is geared towards supporting efficient farming services and techniques to improve productivity in the agricultural sector. At the same time, the other group of the program provides institutional and technological development to farming communities in rural areas. The main aim of the N-Power in the agricultural sector is to unite the urban and rural farming communities.
N-Teach
The aim of N-Power in the education sector is to improve basic education in Nigerian communities. The volunteers of this program are posted to primary and secondary schools as teaching assistants. They create good relationships with the students and support their educational development. By maintaining a good relationship with their students, students tend to run to them for academic assistance whenever they need help.
The N-Teach program brings education to underserved communities. They bring education to marginalized communities and equip them with the necessary education to join the workforce. The program also helps implement Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs in schools.
N-Power Health
The N-Power Health post volunteers to hospitals and health centers to provide care, focusing on the most vulnerable and preventive measures. They help increase access to basic health care services to the communities with fewer health care professionals. It supports the development of health care infrastructures with community-based solutions and promotes the overall well-being of Nigerians living in those communities.
The N-Power Non-Graduate Category
This category is divided into two – NPower Knowledge and NPower Build. It aims to train and certify young unemployed, non-tertiary educated Nigerians on the country’s economy and how it works. Both of which are certification programs that will engage and train over 75,000 youths.
N-Power Knowledge
The first step of the Federal Government towards diversifying to a knowledge economy is the N-Power Knowledge. This program aims to get participants trained to successfully get engaged in the marketplace as freelancers, entrepreneurs, and employees. It empowers those Nigerians who are not privileged enough to attend a university and others who are still in the university. N-Power Knowledge has specializations like N-Tech Hardware, N-Creative, and N-Tech Software.
N-Power Build
The N-Power Build is aimed at training and certifying participants. It engages the young unemployed Nigerians and trains them to become skilled and highly competent service professionals, technicians, and artisans. The industries it is focused on include; utilities, building services, automotive, aluminum and gas, construction, and built environment services.
Eligibility and Requirements for NPower Application
For one to qualify for the NPower program, the person must meet the following requirements.
- They must be between the ages of 18 and 35. Anyone that does not fit into this age limit will not be considered. Even if the person applies, the application will be rejected.
- The applicant must be able to pass the application barriers and be alert when the proper registration begins.
- The person must provide the following information for the registration:
- A recognized national Identity Card, either Voter’s Card, NIN, or Driver’s Licence
- an active email address
- phone number
- date of birth
- place of birth
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Bank Verification Number (BVN)
- Degree certificates, or WAEC results for non-graduates
- Passport
So Far, the Scheme Has Empowered over 1 million Nigerians
The N-Power program was set up on 8th June 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari. The scheme was set up to increase social development and solve the problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria. The scheme engages and pays its participants a monthly allowance of N10,000 to N30,000, depending on the program you enrolled for. It is a 2-year program, and so far, it has produced two batches. Batch A started in June 2016, Batch B, 2017, and Batch C started the registration in June 2020.
Since its inception, the scheme has succeeded in empowering over 1 million Nigerian youths. The aim of the program is playing out, and before the set target, the scheme must have been able to empower millions of Nigerians and bring them out of poverty.
Over the years, there have been some changes in the organization and management of the program. In the 2020 batch C enrolment, the process was handled by the National Social Investment Management System (NASIMS). This is the current website for NPower registration and management.
What You Should know about the NPower Assessment Test
The N-Power application and selection processes hold in phases across Nigeria. The NPower test stage comes after a successful registration and verification process. NPower test is for all the NPower categories, including the graduate and non-graduate categories. All those who applied to any NPower program are eligible to write the NPower test. Below are important things you should know about this phase.
- The assessment test contains questions from numerical analysis, quantitative & verbal Reasoning, general knowledge, lateral thinking, and other questions, including basic knowledge of English.
- The applicant should keep in mind that the questions will be based on the program they applied for.
- You can sit for the N-Power Online Test using a desktop, tablet, smartphone, or laptop, provided that the device is connected to the internet.
- Applicants will get three chances to attempt and pass the test. This is an opportunity to get a second and a third opportunity to succeed if they fail the first time. Once the person submits the test, there are no other chances.
- Any applicant who has successfully applied for the N-Power with valid BVN should patiently wait and be alert for information on when the test would be scheduled.
- The test time is 20 minutes, and you are to answer 20 questions within the stated time.
- All questions carry equal marks.
- You will be disqualified if you fail to submit the test after the third trial.
How to Write the NPower Test
Once you’ve provided accurate records of your BVN and it is confirmed, be alert and check your dashboard regularly. Once the news on the NPower test commencement comes out, log in to your dashboard and take the test. If you fail to write your test within the stipulated time mapped out for this phase, your application process will be discontinued. Below is a step-by-step procedure on how to write the NPower test.
- Visit the NASIMS website https://nasims.gov.ng/
- Click on Login to log into your already created dashboard
- Enter your NASIMS ID or email address and password
- This will take you to the Dashboard, where you will find the Start Test button.
- Click on it, and it will lead you to start the test. Once you click the button, your time starts counting.
- You can restart the test but not more than three times.
- When you are done writing the test and have successfully submitted it, your score will be displayed immediately.
The Take Test button is permanent on the dashboard. The test is accessible within the time frame mapped out for it; otherwise, a message on the page will give you the necessary information.
Other Frequently Asked Questions About N-Power
- When does the NPower recruitment usually start?
From the record we have from 2016, the recruitment process usually starts in June. But the program has not maintained consistency in the yearly pattern. Therefore, the government will announce the start of any new batch recruitment.
- What is the pass mark for the NPower test?
The questions are set at 100%, but the pass mark has not been revealed to the general public. Applicants are advised to perform extremely well to be considered for the next stage.
- How can I change my phone number if I lost the phone number used for the registration?
You can always retrieve your lost phone number through telecommunication Welcome Back. If you are not able to do that, then contact N-Power to change your phone number.
- Can National Youth Service Corp members register for the N-Power program?
Yes, they can. Just follow the processes from the registration stage to the end. And you must make sure you have gotten your NYSC discharge certificate when you will be called to the verification stage. If not, apply for those that do not require the certificate.
- Can the previous batches reapply in the new batch?
No, they can’t. If they do, they will be screened out in the process.
- Can I apply for N-Power Teach with HND?
No, you cannot apply for N-Power Teach with HND. It is strictly for graduates who have completed their compulsory NYSC one-year service. However, you can apply for other N-Power programs like N-Power Knowledge or N-Power build.
- Can the NYSC certificate be substituted with the NYSC exemption letter?
Yes. You can use your exemption letter so far you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Does early registration give me an edge over other applicants?
No. All applicants will be screened with the same screening process. The process is not on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Can I apply for N-Build as a graduate?
Yea, you can. The N-Build program is open to both graduates and non-graduates.