In a classroom at the Women Tech Hub, CBT building, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Lagos, an elderly woman stands dishing out instructions to a group of young women and adolescent girls who are busy with their computers. She is the coordinator of Girls Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) programme of Yaba College of Technology (GESP, Yabatech).

The woman, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, is equally a Chief Lecturer at the College and Director, Centre for Research Support and Grants Management, Yabatech, Lagos.

A passionate advocate for young girls’ empowerment, her vision is for every young woman in Nigeria to have access to quality education and practical skills training that enables her to thrive in any field she chooses. “I want to see more women breaking barriers in technology, science, entrepreneurship, and leadership,” she says.

GESP was launched at Yaba College of Technology in November 2024 to ensure that women are not left behind in the rapidly evolving world of work. The classroom is peopled by young girls who have just finished senior secondary school and a few graduates from higher institutions across the country. They are part of the first cohort of the programme aimed at empowering them in technology, computer repairs, and mobile phone maintenance and web designs.

“There are over 500 girls for the first cohort and we plan training over 5,000 in Lagos,” she quips. Speaking on the project, the lady reveals: “It was established by UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited together with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and major businesses, it aims support access to high quality and market relevant skills for young women aged between 13 to 24 years, promoting equality of choice and access to opportunities in learning, skill, and livelihoods.

“By showcasing success stories and providing strong mentorship, we are gradually changing mindsets and encouraging more women to embrace skills training.”
This aligns with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which advocates for inclusion and gender equality in STEM and technical fields, while International Day of Women (IWD) theme for 2025 is “Accelerate Action.”

“It was created to bridge the gender gap in skills training. By equipping them with both technical and soft skills, we prepare them not just for employment but for entrepreneurship and leadership roles in various industries,” Doherty states.

According to her, with over 70 years of experience in technical and vocational education and training, Yabatech leveraged its expertise to apply for the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP).

To address local needs and bridge the gap between education and employment, Yabatech designed a project focused on improving the livelihoods and future opportunities of young women and adolescent girls (ages 13-24) by equipping them with the skills needed to secure employment in ICT-related sectors—traditionally male-dominated industries in Lagos.

“Yabatech and INASP UK play a vital role in implementing a gender-responsive pedagogy approach, creating an inclusive learning environment. Vodafone UK supports mentorship programmes focused on communication, leadership, and other essential soft skills.

“Additionally, we collaborate with industry professionals to provide hands-on workplace training, equipping trainees with realworld experience.”

According to her, the Canada Skills Council further enhances the programme by offering resources in various technical and vocational skills, broadening the scope of opportunities available to the trainees.

“We also track how many graduates go on to mentor others, as this reflects the sustainability of our impact. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our training curriculum, incorporate more industry partnerships, and introduce other levels of NSQ certifications that enhance employability.”

On the specific skills and training the programme offers to young women, and how it sets them up for success, Dr. Doherty informs that GESP provides training in four key ICT areas, focuses on four market-relevant digital skill clusters: GSM and mobile phone repairs; Computer Hardware Maintenance and Repairs; Mobile Applications Development, Web Application Development and Soft skills; including entrepreneurial skills, business management, leadership, product development, networking, and public speaking.

“Organisations can partner with us to provide funding beyond the project timeline. Our mentorship programme, which includes volunteer mentors from Vodafone UK women in business network, helps young women develop these skills in both virtual and physical training sessions,” she says.

“We are reaching out to girls in such places like Agege and our mastercrafts train them. We take the GESP training to them in their communities. We are looking at recruiting girls in Makoko and other underserved areas in Lagos State.

She says some of the major challenges she has encountered in implementing GESP, include cultural resistance to women entering male-dominated fields, adding that they were able to tackle it through advocacy and community engagement.

“We are providing transport stipend to encourage and motivate the girls. Many of them do not have personal laptops in their homes for the training, so we have provided laptops in the tech hub for them to access for the practical training.”

She noted that before joining the GESP programme, none of the young women had prior training in the four ICT skill areas. However, through the programme, they have gained hands-on expertise in laptop and GSM repair, website development, and mobile application development.

The first cohort began training in November 2024, and as they complete their programme in February 2025, many have already secured internship opportunities, employment offers, and business prospects based on their newly acquired skills.

In fields like GSM repair and computer hardware maintenance—where female mastercrafts persons are rare—this training is beginning to change the landscape, empowering more women to excel and lead in these technical areas, in line with International Day of Women and Girls in Science.”

She further stated that collaboration has been key to GESP’s impact. “We are proud to have strong partnerships with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, Vodafone UK, INASP UK, and other industry leaders.

These partners provide essential support, including mentorship, funding, and technical expertise, ensuring our trainees receive a well-rounded learning experience.

“By showcasing their abilities on social media, the trainees are attracting professional opportunities and expanding their networks. Additionally, some of them are now competent enough to support the programme as trainers.”