British Council, PTI Empower Youth with Skills, Grant

Omolabake  Fasogbon

The British Council, in partnership with Prince’s Trust International has empowered no fewer than 60 youths under its ‘ Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge (YSED) project aimed to unlock prosperity for Nigeria and Africa at large. 

Now in its pilot stage, the project enlisted youths in three Nigeria states including Lagos, where they were nurtured with skills, tools and confidence needed to thrive in business and build sustainable ventures. 

Country Director of British Council, Lucy Pearson said YSEC was part of the council’s ‘Non-formal Education Youth Connects’ initiative to bridge skills gap and smoothen youths’ career pathway. 

Speaking at the project’s finale that culminated in a pitching competition among best 16 finalists, Pearson reiterated skills that harness local talent, innovations and solutions, stating that it is necessary for economic development.

“Our vision of a more peaceful and prosperous world built on trust can only be achieved when young people are provided with the right skills and network to make informed choices and be provided with a clear career pathway. This explains our involvement in the project”, she said. 

On his part, Founding Partner at Nardz Factory, project implementation partner, Ade Olowojoba, reiterated the goal of the project to impact youth entrepreneurship, affirming that all activities including dedicated pitch workshops will equip participants for the real world of business.

“Witnessing the growth of participants over the course of the programme has been incredibly rewarding”, he enthused. 

Moreso, Director of Programme, British Council,Chikodi  Onyemerela informed that the success of the pilot will determine project’s expansion across Africa. 

Pearson went ahead to task all beneficiaries of the programme to use skills acquired to source opportunities for themselves and contemporaries such that will create positive pathways and contribute to national growth. 

At the end of the programme, a grant of 250,000 was awarded to eight outstanding pitches to support their business ideas.