To raise problem-solvers and market-ready graduates, a firm, Casting Crown, has launched an initiative aimed at empowering 10,000 students in 20 universities across Nigeria over the next five years.

The initiative is anchored on World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) edge programme, a renowned global certification scheme that fosters sustainability skills in professionals.

Additionally, the programme aims to enhance participants’ proficiency in project management certification and building information modelling (BIM) software.

The group partnered with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as its pioneer institution and plans to expand to 19 other universities nationwide.

The programme aims to certify at least 100 students from each university, with a target of 2,000 certifications yearly across these programmes.

According to the Coordinator, Dr Gbolahan Oyelakin, a significant gap exists in the industry, where many young professionals lack the necessary skills in project management, building information modelling and sustainability, to effectively drive project success and mitigate the impact of climate change.

Oyelakin, while addressing trainees at UNILAG’s Faculty of Engineering, stressed the need to ‘catch’ the students early, providing them with critical skills to become problem-solvers.

He noted that by incorporating these skills into the curriculum, universities would produce industry-ready professionals, equipped to drive project success and deliver value in their respective fields.

Oyelakin also emphasised the need to partner with the government to transform the country’s education system.

The Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Samson Adeosun, said the training would enhance the global competitiveness of UNILAG students, as they would be prepared to write external exams that would be globally recognised.

He described the collaboration as a step in the right direction, as it aligned with the university’s goal of producing globally competitive graduates.