In a bid to empower young women with future-ready skills, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), in collaboration with UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and UK Aid, has trained 200 girls in key digital and technical competencies under the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP).
The beneficiaries, who completed intensive training in four critical areas—Web Application Development, Mobile Application Development, GSM and Mobile Phone Repair, and Computer Hardware Maintenance—were celebrated on Wednesday at a graduation ceremony held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium on the YABATECH campus.
At the event, the graduates were awarded National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level-2 certificates, and received startup toolkits, including laptops, GSM repair kits, and hardware tools, to help transition from learning to earning.
Describing the initiative as a “landmark achievement,” YABATECH Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, commended the resilience of the trainees and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to inclusive and practical education.
> “These young individuals are no longer merely students or trainees—they are now entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and contributors to Nigeria’s digital and technical economy,” Abdul said.
He lauded the support of UNICEF and other partners, noting that the initiative represents the transformative power of partnerships in advancing opportunities for girls and women often excluded from technical education.
Project Coordinator, Dr Funmilayo Doherty, highlighted the success of the programme, which has so far trained 1,389 girls across three cohorts since its inception in November 2024. In addition, over 2,500 young women are currently enrolled in GESP’s online learning platform.
“This is a powerful moment of transition—from aspiration to action. Girls like Chisom are now navigating the tech world confidently, and Joy earned ₦120,000 by building a website,” he said.
During the event, 94 girls were officially certified with NSQF Level-2 qualifications, following rigorous competency-based assessments, including direct observations and personal project evaluations.
Representing the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Mrs Abimbola Odumbaku praised the initiative for investing in girl-child development and helping bridge the gender gap in digital and technical careers.
> “Empowering girls through education and entrepreneurship is key to building an inclusive and innovative workforce,” she stated, adding that stakeholders must continue advocating for holistic approaches to education.
Some beneficiaries also shared testimonies of transformation. Faith Joseph, a trainee in mobile phone repair, expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“When I began this journey last November, I never imagined I’d be employed right after training. Today, I work as a technician at Carl Care,” she said.
The initiative, stakeholders say, is setting a new standard for practical education and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
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