<![CDATA[Purpose: This study aimed to examine the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in promoting youth empowerment in rural Nigeria, particularly in Oyo Town. Research Methodology: A descriptive survey design was used, with a two-stage sampling procedure to select participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and both face and content validity were confirmed. Responses were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviations. Results: The findings revealed that NGOs play a significant role in providing entrepreneurship opportunities to rural youth, offering valuable resources, awareness, and skill-building programs. Key opportunities for NGOs include access to funding, collaboration with local communities and capacity-building programs. However, challenges such as limited funding, a lack of skilled staff, inadequate collaboration, and poor infrastructure limit the effectiveness of these NGOs. Rural youth perceive NGOs' role in facilitating entrepreneurship as essential for skill development, mentorship, and connecting them with funding opportunities. Conclusions: The study concludes that NGOs significantly contribute to youth empowerment in rural areas through training and mentorship programs. However, to maximize their impact, NGOs must prioritize practical entrepreneurship training, provide tailored support for rural youth, and strengthen partnerships with other organizations. Limitations: The study was limited to Oyo Town, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings to other rural regions in Nigeria. Additionally, challenges related to data collection may have impacted response accuracy. Contributions: This study provides valuable insights into the role of NGOs in rural youth empowerment and offers practical recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of NGO programs in fostering sustainable youth development.]]>
