Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in partnership with UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and UK Aid, celebrated 200 girls who successfully completed intensive training under the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership.
The event, held on Wednesday, at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, saw the beneficiaries awarded start-up toolkits and National Skills Qualification Framework, Level-2 certificates.
Welcoming guests to the event, YABATECH’s Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, described the occasion as a “landmark achievement” that affirms the institution’s commitment to inclusive, future-ready education.
“Today’s ceremony is an affirmation of our institutional commitment to inclusive, practical, and future-ready 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,” he said.
Abdul commended the resilience of the 200 girls trained in four critical areas: Web Application Development, Mobile Application Development, GSM and Mobile Phone Repair, and Computer Hardware Maintenance and Repair.
He emphasised that the distribution of laptops, GSM repair kits, and hardware tools symbolised a significant shift from learning to earning.
“On behalf of the entire YABATECH community, I wish to express our profound gratitude to UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and all our partners for their unwavering support.
“This initiative embodies the power of partnership in transforming lives—particularly for young girls and women, who have been historically underrepresented in technical education and entrepreneurship,” he added.
Project Coordinator, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, noted that the initiative was already creating a visible impact across Lagos.
He said, “This is a powerful moment of transition, from aspiration to action.
“We celebrate girls like Chisom, who is now confidently navigating a future in tech, and Joy, who earned N120,000 from developing a website.
“This is what happens when skill meets opportunity.”
According to Doherty, since the programme’s inception, GESP has trained 436 girls in its first cohort (Nov 2024–Feb 2025), 470 in its second (Feb–May 2025), and 483 are currently undergoing training in the third (June–Aug 2025).
Additionally, 2,553 young women are currently enrolled in GESP’s online Learning Management System, receiving self-paced instruction with ongoing facilitator support.
During the ceremony, there was distribution of 200 startup toolkits, 50 laptops for Web App Development, 50 laptops for Mobile App Development, 50 hardware kits for Computer Maintenance and Repair, and 50 GSM repair toolkits.
Also, 94 girls were formally awarded NSQF Level-2 certificates following a rigorous assessment process involving direct observation, personal statements, and other competency-based evaluations.
Representing the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Mrs. Abimbola Odumbaku, wife of the Chairman of Ojodu LCDA, praised the initiative as a strategic investment in girl-child development.
“The education of young women brings immeasurable benefits not just to the individual but to society as a whole.
“This is a laudable step toward nurturing a productive future,” she said.
She emphasised that empowering girls through education and entrepreneurship aligns with the vision of the Lagos State Government to create an inclusive and innovative workforce, regardless of gender.
“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 noted.
Beneficiaries like Faith Joseph, who trained in GSM and Mobile Phone Repair, shared her experience.
“When I started this journey last November, I never imagined I’d be employed right after training. Today, I work as a technician at Carl Care. I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” she said.
