To promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the British Council, in partnership with King’s Trust International, has successfully trained young Nigerians in entrepreneurial skills through the Young Sustainable Enterprise Challenge (YSEC) programme.

The eight-week programme was to create a new generation of entrepreneurs, who would contribute to their communities by creating jobs and promoting economic growth.

As part of the final phase, participants showcased their projects in a business pitch for grants to support their ventures. Speaking at the event, the Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative.

She emphasised the significance of youth-focused initiatives, stating: “Working with young people is central to the British Council’s mission. Given the youth bulge in Nigeria and the pressing need for increased employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, this initiative aligns with our broader goal of fostering sustainable development.

We look forward to scaling up the programme to reach more states and impact more young people.  Chief Executive Officer of King’s Trust International, Will Straw, lauded the innovation displayed by participants.

“We have seen some absolutely fantastic business ideas spanning fashion, food, and design. The Sustainable Enterprise Challenge, run by King’s Trust International and the British Council and delivered by Nerdz Factory, has helped these young entrepreneurs develop business plans and gain confidence to take their products to market,” he said.

Programme Supervisor at Nerdz Factory, Omozele Umoren, underscored the impact of the initiative, noting: “With the support of the British Council and King’s Trust International, we have trained about 130 young people between February 2023 and December 2024, bridging the unemployment gap in Nigeria.”