By Gabriel Dike
About 200 young girls, who completed the first and 2nd cohorts of the Girls’ Education Skills Partnership (GESP) were presented with startup toolkits, certificate of the National Skills Qualification (NSQF) and laptops.
At the ceremony held at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), dignitaries that grace the occasion include the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, YABATECH Governing Council chairman, Prof. Funso Afolabi, college management team led by the Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, GESP partners and parents of the girls.
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YABATECH Coordinator of GESP, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, said the occasion is meant to celebrate 200 young girls who completed the free training under GESP under the college.
She explained that the initiative is already making a difference in the lives of the young women across Lagos, and today ceremony is a testament to that impact.
“The Girls Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) Yaba College of Technology was launched with a bold vision to empower 5,250 young women with relevant, quality, gender-responsive technical and digital skills, and ultimately connect them to better livelihoods in the ICT sector.
“We started by laying a strong foundation. In the early months, we focused on building capacity. We have trained 600 skilled workers, master craft persons, and TVET educators to date,” she stated.
Doherty revealed that the first training cohort, ran from November 2024 to February 2025, with 436 young girls between the ages of 13 and 24 and were given in hands-on training across four focus areas: GSM and mobile phone repair, computer maintenance and hardware repair, web application development, and mobile application development.
She added: “A total of 200 toolkits will be distributed today, 50 laptops to the best-performing girls in web application development, 50 laptops for those in mobile application development, 50 full toolkits for our trained hands in computer hardware maintenance and repair and 50 toolkits for our learners in GSM and mobile phone repair.”
In her address, First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Sanwo-Olu, said YABATECH and its development partners have remained shining examples in fostering youth development.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the wife of Ojodu LGA, Mrs. Abimbola Odumbaku, stressed that the education of young women brings immeasurable benefits, not only to the individuals themselves but to the society as a whole.
“Education helps young women realize their full potentials and make informed, independent decisions. It is a tool of empowerment, allowing them to take control of their lives, uplift their families, and positively impact their communities.
“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.
“We must help them discover their potentials, embrace innovation, and position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive global landscape,” she stated.
In his remarks, Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Abdul, said the initiative embodies the power of partnership in transforming lives particularly for young girls and women, who have been historically underrepresented in the areas of technical education and entrepreneurial development.
He described the ceremony as an affirmation of the college commitment to inclusive, practical, and future-ready education.
“The distribution of startup toolkits ranging from laptops for software development, GSM repair kits, to computer hardware maintenance tools along with the award of NSQF level-2 certificates, symbolizes a major stride in transitioning beneficiaries from learning to earning.
“These young individuals are no longer merely students or trainees, they are now entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and contributors to Nigerias digital and technical economy,” Abdul said.
The rector urged the 200 young girls to remain focused, innovative, and disciplined. He further tasked them to use their skills to build businesses, solve local problems, and even train others.
YABATECH council chairman, Prof. Afolabi, expressed the college’s appreciation to the sponsors and partners of the initiative, stating, “your vision and commitment to advancing the education and empowerment of girls resonate strongly with the values we hold dear at YABATECH.”
He explained that each kit represents an opportunity for the young girls to build something meaningful whether it is a business, a career, or a pathway to greater possibilities.
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