Abstract
Sequel to the realisation that youths champion violence and
militancy in the Niger Delta Region, and the resolution of Umar
Musa Yar’Aduas’ government to end insecurity, militancy, and youth
restiveness in the region, the amnesty programme was declared,
with skills training as its major component. This study examined the
relationship between amnesty programmes and skills training
among ex-militants in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. The study
used a cross-sectional survey research design. Questionnaires were
distributed to 1152 participants purposively selected from
communities in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa states. Elicited data were
analysed using a simple linear statistical tool. The findings of the
study reveal that amnesty programmes significantly enabled exmilitant to acquired skills in pipeline installation and repairs. It also
shows that amnesty programmes have a positive impact on the exmilitant acquisition of information technology skills. Further result
indicates that there is a significant relationship between amnesty
programmes and ex-militant acquisition of automobile servicing
skills. The study, therefore, concluded on the need for beneficiaries
of the amnesty skills training to be supervised by experts in their
field and should be provided with professional advice that would
help build their confidence in their chosen career .
