Alliance for Youth Nigeria empowers over 11,000 young Nigerians in one year

Alliance for Youth Nigeria empowers over 11,000 young Nigerians in one year

As the world marks the International Youth Day, the Alliance for Youth Nigeria 

has announced the conclusion of a vocational skills training program reaching over 350 young Nigerians in Lagos and Kano States. The training, which covered 

four skillsets –Solar panel installation, Graphics Design (Designs, social media 

and web design), CCTV and Cable installation, and Beauty Care (make-up,

aromatherapy and massage), were delivered in collaboration with Whitefield 

Foundation. 

The vocational skills training is one of the projects of the Alliance designed in 

accordance with the Alliance’s objective of reaching 250,000 young Nigerians 

with employability and entrepreneurial skills to enable them secure gainful 

employment or set up businesses of their own within 3 years.  This objective, 

commitment to work together to address the challenges of youth unemployment 

which was announced during the launch of the Alliance, is in line with their 

in the country with the associated social and economic impact.

Launched in August 2021, the Alliance is a business-driven movement of 

organizationspassionate 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 Alliancefor Youth Nigeria include Nestlé 

Compact Network Nigeria, U-Connect HR Limited and Sterling One Foundation 

Employment Trust Fund and Activate Success International as partner

Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, Big Bottling Company, the United Nations Global 

with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Lagos State

organizations. 

Since inception, the Alliance has reached over 11,000 young Nigerians with 

employability and entrepreneurial trainings, internship and mentoring 

opportunities and job placements.

Projects delivered include: 

• Soft skills training, covering personal effectiveness and time management, 

effective communication, business etiquette, employability skills, emotional 

intelligence, for NYSC and fresh graduates in November 2021 reaching 590

• Soft and employability skills training, covering critical thinking and 

problem solving, creativity and idea generation, developing the right mindset 

reaching over 9,600 NYSC members in Lagos, Kano, Ogun and FCT 

for the world of work, effective communication etc, in May and June 2022 orientation camps.

• Employability trainings for fresh graduates in April and June 2022, 

resumes, developing interpersonal skills, developing an entrepreneurial 

covering career positioning, personal brand marketing, building winning 

mindset etc, and reaching over 610

• Vocational skills training, covering solar panel installation, graphics design 

(designs, social media and web design), CCTV and Cable installation, and 

Beauty Care (make up, aromatherapy and massage), in Lagos and Kano 

states in August 2022 reaching over 350

The member and partner organizations have positioned themselves to invest in 

Sustainable Development Goal 8 -to promote sustained, inclusive, and 

joint and individual projects to give young Nigerians meaningful work 

sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent 

experience, internships, readiness-for-work training, and mentoring opportunities and are committed to contributing towards the United Nations work for all by 2030.

Celebrating the International Youth Day and first-year anniversary of the 

Alliance, high-flyers of the vocational skills training were gifted start-up kits to 

ensure the immediate take-off of their businesses. High-flyers from the graphics 

design training were provided laptops, those from the Beauty, massage and aromatherapy training were provided make-up tool kits and massage beds while

high-flyers from the installation trainings were awarded complete toolboxes for 

their vocation.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé 

help young people develop their skills so they can find jobs or create their own 

and committed to working with stakeholders and like minded organizations to Nigeria PLC said, “Youth are the future of our world and Nestlé is determined businesses.”

“We are delighted with the progress we have made as an Alliance in the past 

one year, reaching 11,000 youth. Yes, we are still a long way from our target, but 

objectives. The provision of start-up kits to young people who excelled in the 

we have built the framework and alliances that will help us deliver on our 

vocational skills training is a significant step in the right direction”.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Lanre Coleman, General Manager, U-Connect 

investment towards their employability, engagement and empowerment is very 

Human Resources Limited said, “Youth are the future of the nation. Every 

critical for the society’s good and sustainable progress”.

According to Innih Ikhide, Youth Engagement and Learning Manager Jobberman or becoming self-employed. The testimonials from beneficiaries will continue to social progress and national development. The Alliance for Youth Nigeria is Nigeria, “Youth in every society have the potential to stimulate economic growth, providing an ecosystem of learning where young Nigerians can upskill by acquiring 21st century skills that will increase their chances of getting employed motivate us to do more”.

For Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, 

Alliance serves as a catalyst for reducing unemployment and promoting youth 

We urge stakeholders to take collective action in promoting the Sustainable 

requires unprecedented levels of collaboration between key partners. The

"Our one-yearanniversary is proof that advancing decent work for youth 

independence in order to increase labour and economic productivity in Nigeria. 

Development goals, particularly SDG 4, 8 and 9.”

In his comments, ‘Goke Olaleye, Marketing Manager, The Big Bottling Company 

the nation and world at large. The Big Bottling Company Limited, while

Limited, said, “Investment in young people support economic empowerment of 

congratulating Nigerian youths, remains committed to supporting their 

aspirations for growth”.

In a statement on behalf of the HonorableMinister of Youth and Sports 

Areola, said, “In the next 10 years, jobs would have evolved from the traditional 

Development, the Special Assistant to the Honorable Minister, Oluwakemi 

model we are familiar with now.  It is imperative that Nigerian youth equip and 

decent work. The Ministry commends the effort and investment of the added advantage and keep them better positioned for the continuous benefit of 

up skill themselves with the necessary skills (digital and vocational) to give them 

Alliance in promoting economic opportunities for young Nigerians”.

On behalf of other participants, Oluwakemi Olatunfe, who participated in the 

she promised to fully utilize the training and the kitto start up her business, 

training in the Beauty category, commended the Alliance member companies for providing the unique opportunity for the training and upskilling of young Nigerians. Particularly delighted at the start-up kit awarded her by the Alliance, thereby adding value to herself and her family. 

The International Youth Day is celebrated annually on 12 August to bring youth 

awareness of major concerns that impact on young people, particularly as related to health, education and employment while celebrating the potential of issues to the attention of the international and national communities, raising youth as partners in today’s global society.

With over 13.9 million youths unemployed and millions in unstable employment 

experience to help them in a rapidly changing economic landscape and the 

and underemployed in Nigeria, young people need the right skills and Alliance for Youth Nigeria is committed to continued investment in young people 

for a better future.