UNICEF, EU train 3,400 youths in three northern states

The Youth Employability and Skills Project has commenced training for 3,400 young people across Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states to equip them with skills for employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

The project, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund and the European Union, is being implemented by Yaba College of Technology in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund.

The Project Coordinator, Dr Funmilayo Doherty, disclosed this on Monday at the launch and induction training in Kano, where participants were introduced to the Global Record Book, National Skills Qualification and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse requirements.

PUNCH Online reports that the initiative is designed to equip young people with relevant skills to improve their productivity and enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.

“The project would reach 3,400 beneficiaries in 30 selected local government areas across the three states, with 1,200 participants expected from Kano and 1,100 each from Jigawa and Sokoto,” Doherty said.

She also called on employers and industry leaders to provide internship, apprenticeship, mentorship and employment opportunities for the beneficiaries to help them translate their training into sustainable livelihoods.

The coordinator said Nigeria’s growing youth population could contribute significantly to economic development if young people acquired skills that matched the demands of the current and emerging labour market.

“Nigeria’s greatest asset is its young population. However, unlocking this demographic dividend requires equipping young people with relevant skills that match the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s labour market,” she said.

She thanked the European Union, the governments of Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states, Yaba College of Technology, the ITF and other stakeholders for their contributions to the programme.

“Particular attention would be given to young women and vulnerable youths to ensure that those facing greater barriers to opportunities could also benefit from the training,” Doherty said.

In his remarks, the UNICEF Representative at its Kano Field Office, Shafeeq Ur Rehman, said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to investing in young people as drivers of economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.

Also speaking, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, represented by the Deputy Rector, Dr Ismail Badmus, said the institution was proud to be associated with the initiative.

“The college was targeting 18,000 young people for various skills acquisition programmes as part of its commitment to promoting technical education, employability and economic empowerment,” Abdul said.

The YESP is expected to provide training in digital, green, technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills, while also supporting beneficiaries with pathways to employment and enterprise development.