In a country where millions of young people graduate each year only to face the harsh realities of an increasingly competitive job market, one Sunday morning programme is quietly rewriting the story of professional readiness and leadership. Since its launch in January 2025, SkillUp, powered by Africa Tech Hub and convened by transformation consultant and youth mentor Sean Olabode Badiru, has been making a remarkable impact on the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
SkillUp is no ordinary training programme. In just a few months, it has delivered intensive learning experiences designed to be hands-on and deeply personal. Participants have completed personality tests that reveal strengths and blind spots, worked through detailed business model development workbooks to structure their entrepreneurial ideas, and engaged in exercises that challenge their communication style and emotional resilience. Every Sunday from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM, participants gather in person and online to sharpen not only their skills, but their vision and sense of purpose.
“Our goal is simple but profound,” said Badiru, who is also the CEO of Africa Tech Hub. “We are raising a generation of purpose-driven professionals who know their strengths, understand their unique value, and are fully equipped to dominate their fields. SkillUp is about helping young people unleash their full potential, gain the competitive edge to stand out, and step confidently into the marketplace as problem-solvers, innovators, and industry leaders.”
The response from participants has been overwhelming, not just in terms of enthusiasm but in tangible results. For some, like Oluwatobi Kolapo Olajide, the Business Model Development course has been life-changing. “It empowered me to launch my own business and equipped me with the expertise to support SMEs in achieving their growth potential,” he said. “The insight I gained on adaptability and iteration in business planning has transformed the way I think. I’ve learned to refine my strategies continuously, based on market feedback and changing circumstances.”
Others found their breakthroughs in self-awareness and communication. Ikhine Mary Ekata, who joined with the goal of improving her workplace relationships, describes the Effective Communication sessions as a revelation. “I didn’t miss a single episode. It made me a better listener and a clearer speaker. But beyond that, understanding emotional intelligence shifted my approach—from using people’s emotions as tools to genuinely valuing them as part of who they are.”
Even those battling shyness and fear of public speaking have seen measurable progress. “My communication skills have really developed,” said Bright-Seden O. Favour. “As a shy person, presentation wasn’t part of my skill set, but that isn’t the case anymore. The flexibility of SkillUp makes it easy to commit just one session every Sunday, and you can join online if you can’t be there physically.”
The programme’s strength lies in its design. It blends practical learning, values-driven teaching, and mentorship in a way that resonates with young professionals. Participants are not simply learning theories; they are applying concepts in real time through capstone projects, case studies, and collaborative problem-solving. Each course embeds Africa Tech Hub’s core values of integrity, mastery, purpose, agility, community, and transformation—creating a learning environment that demands both excellence and ethical grounding.
For Badiru, this integration of values is not optional. “We’re intentional about aligning ambition with meaningful impact,” he explained. “SkillUp is not only preparing young professionals to excel in their industries, it’s shaping them into leaders who will influence culture, uphold values, and drive innovation.”
The impact stories multiply with each passing week. For Egbuwe Kelvin, the Emotional Intelligence module was the turning point. “It helped me understand how to address people and form better relationships. Now I listen more before responding, and it has changed how I relate to others in life and work.” For Seden-Bright Ochuwa Goodluck, who struggled with accepting criticism, the shift was equally personal. “I learned that accepting criticism is a way to grow better. My self-confidence has grown tremendously.”
The format itself is another reason for the programme’s success. Unlike traditional training courses that stretch over consecutive weekdays, SkillUp’s weekly schedule makes it accessible to both busy professionals and full-time students. Participants have described the sessions as “personal” and “like one-on-one conversations,” a stark contrast to the impersonal lecture style that often dominates capacity-building initiatives. As Genevieve Obiorah Anulika put it, “What distinguishes SkillUp is the grassroots teaching. I understand every bit of the lessons and can practice them immediately in my activities.”
The broader vision is ambitious. SkillUp’s curriculum spans over 25 domains—from strategic management and leadership to digital literacy and workplace dynamics—aimed at equipping participants with market-relevant skills, clarity of purpose, and the ability to lead innovation. Each learning pathway is designed to bridge the gap between potential and performance, ensuring that participants leave not just with certificates, but with confidence, competence, and character.
This long-term vision is already taking shape. Badiru sees SkillUp as a launchpad for a new wave of leaders in Africa’s economic and social spheres. “If our participants leave with clarity of purpose, the confidence to act, and the values to lead with integrity, then we’ve achieved what we set out to do,” he said. “We’re building a community of young professionals who will not only succeed in their careers, but who will transform industries and communities in the process.”
As the next series of courses approaches, the momentum is building. Participants who have completed the initial modules are already stepping into new ventures, taking on greater responsibilities at work, and mentoring others. For many, SkillUp has become more than a programme—it is a turning point, a space where vision is clarified, skills are sharpened, and leadership potential is unlocked.
