The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Generation Unlimited (GenU) has empowered with toolkits, outstanding 200 girls who have completed a training under the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) programme.

At the Startup Toolkit and National Skills Qualification Certificate presentation at the Yaba College of Technology  (Yabatech) on Wednesday, Celine Lafoucriere, chief field officer of UNICEF, South-West Nigeria, identified Yabatech as a partner in driving skills development in Nigeria.

Ms Lafoucriere was represented by UNICEF’s social policy specialist, Muhammad Okorie.

The GESP programme was across four key skills areas  – web application development, mobile application development, GSM and mobile phone repair, and computer hardware maintenance repair.

Ms Lafoucriere said that the partnership with Yabatech had created an enabling environment for providing thousands of girls and young women with an opportunity to develop market-oriented skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

She described the empowerment as a critical lever for economic and social development globally, saying that  Nigeria’s  youth population made it a pressing need.

“Today, the first and second cohorts gained credentials with certification of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level Two,” she said.

The official added that the graduates were being given essential toolkits to acquire more advanced skills and excel in the labour market.

”UNICEF remains committed to serving the needs of children and youths particularly by scaling the evidence-based skills programme for most marginalised girls and young women, in partnership with Nigeria Government, UK Government and GESP partners,” she said.

In a keynote address, the wife of Lagos State governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the initiative was a laudable step toward nurturing a productive future for girls as they would begin to apply their newly-acquired skills in everyday life.

She was represented by Abimbola Odunmbaku, wife of the chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu praised Yabatech, UNICEF and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for the programme, which she described as impactful.

“This collaboration reflects a strong commitment to empowering girls, while promoting, protecting and preserving their rights and overall wellbeing.

“Yabatech and its development partners have remained shining examples in fostering youth development.

“Their dedication to building the capacity of young people and supporting communities deserves our collective applause.

“When we come together to nurture and empower our youths, the task of nation-building becomes far less daunting,” she added.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu said that education would help young women to realise their full potential and make informed and independent decisions.

She described the training as an empowerment tool, which  the beneficiaries would use to take control of their lives, uplift their families, and positively impact their communities.

“As stakeholders, we must intensify our advocacy for a holistic approach to education,  one that not only prepares our children to excel academically but also equips them to be financially independent, emotionally resilient and socially relevant.”

She charged the girls to cultivate the right attitudes and pursue excellence, adding that they should allow integrity and hard work to define their journeys.

She gave the assurance that the state government would continue to formulate policies and programmes that would create an enabling, inclusive and safe environment for youths to thrive.

In his remarks, the rector of Yabatech, Ibraheem Abdul, expressed gratitude to UNICEF  and other partners for  support and collaboration.

He said that the distribution of the startup toolkits was a major stride in making the beneficiaries to move from learning to earning.

Mr Abdul said the initiative showed the power of partnership in transforming lives.

” We remain at the forefront of technical education, innovation and community impact through the GESP.

“We are aligning with our strategic vision to equip our youths particularly young women with demand-driven skills to position them competitively in the labour market and as change agents within their communities.

We remain deeply committed to initiatives that bridge the gender gap in STEM, digital innovation and skilled trades,” he added.

Earlier, Funmilayo Doherty, GESP project coordinator at Yabatech, said that the toolkits included 50 laptops to the best-performing girls in web application development and 50 laptops to those in mobile application development.

Ms Doherty said that 50 laptops were also distributed to those trained in computer hardware maintenance and repair, while learners in GSM and mobile phone repair also got 50 toolkits at the event.

”These young girls have not only completed their training in record time but have also demonstrated commitment, growth and resilience.

“Their work has stood out, their confidence has soared, their potential is clear.

” The startup toolkits is one of the most practical and meaningful ways to support their journey into the world of work and enterprise,” she added.

She noted that the initiative was launched in 2024 with the vision to empower 5,250 young women with relevant, quality, gender-responsive technical and digital skills, and ultimately connect them to better livelihoods in the informal and communication technology sector.

Faith Joseph, one of the beneficiaries who trained under GESP GSM/Mobile Phone Repair, thanked UNICEF and Yabatech for the opportunity to acquire the skill.

“I learnt the skill at CARLCARE training school through the help of GESP Yabatech, and today I work as a technician in 9s LIFE NICE.” she said.

 (NAN)