…..As Yabatech, UNICEF Empower 200 Girls With Skills, Global Certification, And Startup Toolkits
Chairman, Governing Council, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Prof. Funso Afolabi has commended the sponsors and partners of the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) programme at Yaba College of Technology for their vision and commitment to advancing the education and empowerment of girls.
He applauded them during the presentation of the national skills qualification certificates and startup toolkits under the girls’ education and skills partnership (GESP) programme held at the institution on Wednesday.
The laudable initiative sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and co-sponsored by Generation Unlimited and UK Aid, according to him aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places strong emphasis on youth development, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and gender inclusion.
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He added that the event reflects yabatech’s commitment to empowering young women through practical skills and meaningful opportunities which resonate strongly with the values hold dear at the College.
“At Yaba College of Technology, we are proud to play a vital role in advancing this national vision by ensuring that our programmes respond to the needs of the present and the aspirations of the future.
“GESP Yabatech is more than just a programme. It has opened doors for hundreds of adolescent girls and young women, giving them access to quality, practical training in skills that are relevant to today’s economy. It has helped to create a nurturing environment where young women can learn, innovate, and become leaders in their fields.”
Prof Afolabi also stated that the Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology fully supports the GESP programme and remains deeply committed to initiatives that promote skills development, gender inclusion, and youth empowerment.
“We believe that equipping young women with relevant, industry-driven skills is essential to building a more equitable and prosperous future, and we will continue to champion programmes that align with this vision.”
Stressing the importance of the programme, he said the distribution of startup toolkits and the presentation of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level 2 Certificates goes far beyond handing out equipment or documents. “We are witnessing the beginning of a journey. “These toolkits are not just tools; they are seeds of hope, of self-reliance, and of entrepreneurship.
“Each kit represents an opportunity for these young women to build something meaningful whether it is a business, a career, or a pathway to greater possibilities. This is how we bridge the gender divide in technology and innovation. This is how we build a more inclusive economy and contribute tangibly to national development in line with the Presidential Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
He congratulated the beneficiaries, adding that they have worked hard to reach this point, “To our exceptional learners receiving toolkits today, Let this achievement inspire you to keep pushing forward. Use what you’ve learned. Apply it. Build with it. Create with it. And know that you have the full support of this institution behind you.
“To the Yabatech management, GESP team, our facilitators, and everyone who played a role in making this programme a success thank you. And to the young women here today you are the reason we are all gathered. You are the pride of this programme and the hope of our future,” he said.
R-L: Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr Engr Ibraheem Abdul, Founder Girl Healthcare Initiative, Dr. Alonge, UNICEF’s Social Policy Manager, Mr. Mohammed Okorie presenting a laptop startup toolkit to one of the 200 empowered girl child trained under Girls Education and Skills Partnership sponsored by UNICEF.
The special guest of honour at the event, the first lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by the wife of the Chairman, Ojodu, LCDA, Mrs. Abimbola Odumbaku, emphasized the transformative power of girl-child education and the need to prepare girls not just to graduate, but to lead.
She described education as a powerful weapon for societal change and stressed the importance of combining technical skills with character, vision, and resilience.
The representative of UNICEF and Manager Social Policy, Mr. Muhammed Okorie lauded the initiative and its relevance in the development of Nigeria girl-child.
According to him, “with Nigeria’s youth population projected to reach 190 million by 2030, there is an urgent need to expand skill-based programmes that prepare girls for the modern workforce, moreso, as nearly 74 percent of Nigerian young adults currently lack the skills necessary for gainful employment”.
The Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, encouraged the beneficiaries to see themselves as more than trainees but self-reliant and ready to make money.
He urged them to be entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and leaders, using their new skills to create and innovate.
Dr. Abdul emphasized that the world is waiting for their ideas and their impact.
The GESP event, he said, was not just a ceremony but a declaration that when girls are given the right training, support, and opportunity, they do not just participate in the future of work. They lead it.
The college GESP Project Coordinator, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, noted that every toolkit given represents trust in the potential of these girls to change their homes, communities, and the broader tech ecosystem.
Dr. Doherty said that the ceremony marked the completion of rigorous training in four key areas: web application development, mobile application development, computer systems and hardware support, and GSM repair and culminated in the presentation of startup toolkits and competency-based national certifications to all 94 beneficiaries.
She added that the initiative, executed within the framework of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), goes beyond classroom theory as the girls underwent a hands-on curriculum designed to promote innovation, industry readiness, and self-employment.
The NSQF Level 2 certificates awarded to the 94 graduates were validated through assessments involving observation, project delivery, and evidence collection, positioning the girls to enter the global workforce and to launch their own enterprises.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of fully equipped startup toolkits to all 200 girls. These included laptops for participants trained in web and mobile development, repair kits for GSM technicians, and toolsets for graduates in computer systems and hardware repair.
These toolkits serve as both equipment and empowerment, offering practical assets that immediately position each recipient to begin working or building their own businesses.
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