Tayo Fadipe, Project Coordinator, White Field Foundation
Mustapha Fasasi, a 34 year old indigene of Oyo State, South-West Nigeria, is excited about his recently acquired skill of solar pane instalation for homes and small businesses. With prior interest in solar and renewable energy, he signed up for the vocational skills training hosted by the Aliance for Youth Nigeria as soon as he heard about the training through a radio program.
“The training was an extremely rewarding experience for me as I have been equipped with the hands-on skills and knowledge required to immediately commence solar panel installations and start earning income to support myself and my famiy.I look forward to further personal development till I become an expert in this sector”, he said.
Mustapha is one of over 500 young people who are beneficiaries of the vocational skills training held in Ibadan and Kano.
Despite young people being a tremendous resource for sustainable development, Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate stands at 53.7% according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
There is, therefore, a pressing need for innovative and hands-on interventions, including entrepreneurship education, in
reversing this trend.
The Alliance for Youth Nigeria is addressing this need, with the recent conclusion of vocational skills training program, delivered in collaboration with Whitefield Foundation.
The training which enabes young people acquire knowledge, skills and confidence for self
sustainability, covered four skillsets –Solar panel installation, graphics design, and social media
Management, Beauty Care (makeup, aroma therapy, and massage), and Web Development and Digital
Marketing.
The selected skill sets were identified as quick-to-market and high-impact economic areas
with immediate opportunities for earning a decent income and improving livelihood.
Launched in August 2021, the Aliance is a business-driven movement of organizations passionate
about working together to help young people around the country acquire the necessary skills to thrive
in the world of work or create their own enterprise. Members of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria include
Nestlé Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, Big Bottling Company, the United Nations Global Compact
Network Nigeria and UConnect HR Limited with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports
Development, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and Activate Success International as partner
organizations.
The member and partner organizations are committed to equipping young Nigerians with
employability and entrepreneurial skills to enable them to secure gainful employment or set up businesses of their own.They have also positioned themselves to invest in joint and individual projects
to give young Nigerians meaningful work experience, internships, readiness-for-work training, and
mentoring opportunities and are committed to contributing toward the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goa 8 -to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and
productive employment, and decent work for all by 2030 and Goa 17, Partnerships for the Goas.
Over the last two years,6 the Alliance has empowered over 16,000 young peoplewith employability and entrepreneurial training, internship, and mentoring opportunities equipping them for the word of work and business.
In commemoration of the 2023 International Youth Day and second-year anniversary of the Alliance, high-fyers of the vocational skills training in Ibadan and Kano were gifted start-up kits to enable the
speedy commencement of their businesses. High-flyers from the graphics design and digital marketing trainings were provided laptops, those from the Beauty, massage, and aroma therapy
training were provided make-up tool kits and massage beds while high-flyers from the solar panel installation trainings were awarded complete toolboxes for their vocation.
According to Ahmed Alaga, President of the Alliance and Program Manager Partnerships, Jobberman Nigeria, “Young people are the engine for growth and development, a huge resource and great asset
for national advancement. The Alliance for Youth Nigeria is committed to supporting young Nigerians with the skills, trainings, and knowledge that will increase their chances of getting gainfu employment opportunities or becoming entrepreneurs, unleashing their true potential”.
In his comments at the Ibadan event, Shakiru Lawal, Vice President of the Alliance and Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, said, “Young people are central in building the nationwe all desire.
At Nestlé, we believe that communities cannot thrive if we fail to offer a future to them.
This is why we
are committed to working with stakeholders and like-minded organizations to help young people
develop their skills so they can find jobsor create their own businesses. Am deighted that the trainees have acquired. capacities and capabilities to make a difference, enhance opportunities for self
employment and economic productivity. To the exceptional trainees being provided with start-up kits today, I urge youtopositivelyuse these skills to make a living and serve yourcommunities”.
Tumi Onamade, Secretary of the Alliance and Senior Manager, Participant Engagement &
Programmes, UN Global Compact Nigeria Network who was at the Ibadan event said, “Today we stand united in celebration of two impactful years of collaborative youth empowerment. At the United Nations Gobal Compact Network Nigeria, we recognize that scaling up action and investing in the youth not only creates economic opportunities but also helps businesses grow and stay sustainable,
echoing SDG 8: Decent work and Economic Growth. To the beneficiaries of the startup kits, you are
now empowered with skills and equipped with tools, embrace this opportunity to turn your dreams into thriving realities. Your journey starts now! As we commemorate the International Youth Day, we reaffirm our commitment to the Alliance for Youth Nigeria, fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the
Goals. Our journey as an Alliance remains unwavering, bound by purpose and guided by the firm belief that by investing in youth today, we build a stronger tomorrow”.
In a statement, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development,
Abubakar Ismailsaid, “With the huge number of youth entering the labour market annually in Nigeria, and limited job opportunities in the formal sector, skils based entrepreneurship remains a viable option for economic empowerment, job creationespecially in the small and medium enterprise sector, and improvement of the general standard of living.
Globally, entrepreneurs have advanced
development through innovations in al sectors. The FederaMinistry ofof Youth and Sports
Development is committed to the development of appropriate Policy Frameworks, such as the National Youth Policy which has empoyment and entrepreneurship as strategic thrusts and the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Pan, with priority focus one employability, entrepreneurship, employment creation
equaity and rights. We are delighted to be part of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to create opportunities for youth development”.
Expressing his deight on behalf of his colleagues, Mustapha Fasisi said, “Thanks to the faciitators,
the training is of huge benefit to us as it was very easy to understand and implement. We are deeply grateful to the Alliance for investing in upskilling young peope and further awarding those of us who
excelled at the training with start-up kits.4h Wepromise to maximally deploy the skills and tools to commence our businesses”.
On her part, Mariya Ahmad Jibrin, who participated in the Kano training in the graphics design category expressed her gratitude to the Aliance for the transformative training experience which has
equipped her with the skills to create impactful designs, affirming that the laptop provided to her as a start-up kitis an invaluable and treasured support for her business.
The Aliance for Youth Nigeria is committed to continued investment in capacity development of young people, equipping them with the right skils and experience in a rapidly evolving word and for a better future.
With 70% of her population under 30, Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world,
representing a remarkable opportunity for development and growth.
The International Youth Day celebrated annualy on 12 August, is an opportunity for governments,
internationaly and nationaly, and other stakeholders to draw attention to youth issues worldwide,
particularly as related to health, education, and employment while celebrating the potential of youth as
partners in today’s global society.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World”.
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