Adamawa, firm partner to train 1000 youths, PLWD and women in ICT

The Adamawa State Government, in partnership with Mentors Innovation Hub Nigeria, is set to empower 1,000 women and youths, and People Living with Disability across the 21 local government areas of the state through specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training. This initiative aims to tackle unemployment and improve the employability and self-reliance of the participants.

The World Bank-funded project, Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS), focuses on equipping women, youths, and People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) with vital skills for productive citizenship.

Speaking at a press conference held at Mentors Innovation Hub in Yola, Garba Pella, Adamawa state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, praised the partnership. Represented by Thomas Amos, Pella emphasised the critical role of such collaborations in addressing youth unemployment and insecurity.

“This project will significantly build the capacity of young people in the state, equipping them with practical ICT skills that enhance their employability and self-sufficiency,” Pella said.

He also noted the importance of complementing the state government’s efforts, particularly those of the Poverty Eradication and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA), which have been empowering youths and women with vocational skills and starter packs.

Mentors Innovation Hub’s project coordinator, Olatunbosu Adeniyi, shared the goals of the collaboration. “We are determined to reduce unemployment by equipping participants with modern ICT skills that will lift them out of the labor market. We will focus on areas such as software development, content creation, data analytics, and productivity tools.”

Adeniyi stressed that the project has a special focus on People Living with Disabilities, with 30% of participants from this group. Beyond ICT training, participants will gain life skills that will make them employable and able to create jobs.

The program will be hybrid, combining in-class and online learning over three months. After completing the training, participants will be mentored and placed in internships, with potential job placements from both local and international partners.

“We already have a company ready to engage over 200 participants once they finish their training,” Adeniyi said.

He encouraged women, youths, and people with disabilities to apply for this life-changing opportunity, stressing that the program has the potential to increase Adamawa’s Internally Generated Revenue if participants apply their newfound knowledge effectively.