Nigeria is one of the most endowed economic countries in the African continent with abundant human and material resources that are capable of empowering and transforming the lives of youths towards sustainable socio-economic and political development. Majority of the youth population in Nigeria are living below the poverty line due to a high level of unemployment in the society. This study primarily examines the impact of Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) program for Self-Reliance and poverty alleviation in three (3) States which include: Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara state-Nigeria. Primary data was employed and data were collected through questionnaires. A total number of 534 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents using simple random technique among the beneficiaries of the various Youth Empowerment Scheme programs across the states. Four hundred and forty-two (442) respondents returned questionnaires were found to be valid for data analysis. The data collected was analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS) statistics package to establish the statistical relationship between the anti-poverty program and poverty alleviation. The findings of the study showed that YES has a significant impact on the standard of living of the target beneficiaries, where youth were gainfully self-reliance and equally reduce their level of poverty status in those selected states. The study recommended for proper harmonization of efforts of all agencies towards the poverty alleviation programs in all the selected States in order to enhance effective implementation of a well-planned and concerted policy framework, and the involvement of the community members and stakeholders in the conceptualization, and implementation of programs, and lastly provision of adequate funds are all found to be very essential.