Nigeria’s youths are facing unemployment, outdated education, and a widening digital divide, so says 9ja Youth Drive. But the group is stepping in with fire.
The initiative launched by OVL Foundation in partnership with Kratos Sustainability Consults, MTPEF, and IHS Towers is not just another training scheme. It’s a movement.
“This isn’t just training. It’s a system with mentorship, materials, and post-training support to ensure youths move from learning to earning,” said Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, CEO of OVL Foundation.
The programme targets Nigerians aged 18–45, including widows and vulnerable groups. It aims to equip over 6,000 direct beneficiaries by 2025 with digital and vocational skills that match today’s job market.
From Code to Craft: Skills That Pay
Digital training covers coding, data analytics, and digital marketing. Vocational options include soap making, tie-and-dye, pastries, makeup artistry, and hygiene product production.
Participants receive startup kits after training, enabling them to begin earning immediately. “No trainee will return to the streets idle,” Victor-Laniyan assured.
Training hubs are located in Delta, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Anambra states. Virtual tech cohorts allow nationwide participation.
To celebrate International Youth Day, a Hackathon will be held in Delta State. The winner walks away with ₦1 million to implement their innovation.
Reviving Vocational Pride
Dr. Victor Okhai, Board Advisory at OVL Foundation, didn’t mince words: “You can hardly find reliable mechanics, electricians, or watch repairers anymore. These trades are dying because young people are no longer interested in vocational work.”
He warned that Nigeria risks falling behind globally if it fails to invest in technical and vocational education. “We’re taking two deliberate routes: empowering youth with digital skills to compete globally, and reviving vocational training to promote local innovation and industrialisation.”
85% of Nigerian graduates lack digital skills. That’s not just a statistic—it’s an emergency at this period of AI revolution.
What’s your view on using the private sector-led vocational skills initiative, such as this, to truly transform Nigeria’s youth? Let’s hear your opinion in the comments.Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
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