UNICEF and YABATECH Launch Digital Revolution for 200 Nigerian Girls

In a landmark effort to advance female empowerment and digital inclusion, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), has equipped 200 girls with globally certified skills and startup toolkits in key digital sectors.

According to iReporter Online, the initiative was unveiled at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium in Lagos as part of the Girls Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) programme. Co-sponsored by UK Aid and Generation Unlimited, the event marked a significant stride in preparing young Nigerian women for financial independence through hands-on training in high-demand technical areas.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu—represented by Mrs. Abimbola Odumbaku, wife of the Ojodu LCDA chairman—highlighted the need for holistic girl-child education, emphasizing that girls should not only graduate but be groomed to lead in both social and economic spheres. She described education as a transformative tool for social progress and urged the young beneficiaries to combine their technical know-how with integrity and resilience.

Chairman of the YABATECH Governing Council, Professor Funsho Afolabi, commended the programme as a strong example of effective leadership and public-private collaboration. He praised the institution’s preparedness for a changing world and encouraged stakeholders and alumni to support the college’s endowment drive aimed at improving infrastructure and academic excellence.

UNICEF’s representative and Social Policy Manager, Mr. Muhammed Okorie, underscored the urgency of skill-based empowerment. He noted that with Nigeria’s youth population projected to reach 190 million by 2030, nearly 74 percent of young adults still lack the essential skills required for meaningful employment, a gap initiatives like this aim to close.

The Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Abdul, urged the participants to go beyond the training by becoming financially self-reliant and enterprising. He encouraged them to see themselves not just as learners, but as emerging businesswomen ready to thrive in a digital economy.

Observers say the programme is a bold step towards reducing gender inequality in tech and creating inclusive economic opportunities, especially for young women navigating Nigeria’s challenging job market.