The Federal Government has entered into a major partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) and launched the SET4LYF Programme to empower 180,000 adolescent children across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

This initiative aims to equip young people with key skills like leadership, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy, enabling them to succeed, lead, and make a positive impact in a rapidly changing world.

Speaking on Thursday at an event held in Abuja, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions women, children, and families at the heart of Nigeria’s transformation.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, the Minister noted that the ministry is committed to safeguarding children’s rights, scaling access to care and opportunity, and ensuring no Nigerian child is left behind.

The Guardian reports that secondary school students from seven schools in the FCT attended the event.
The Minister highlighted the importance of empowering youth, citing Nigeria’s demographic goldmine of over 70 per cent of the population under the age of 30.

She expressed her commitment to gender equality and inclusive growth, building on previous efforts such as the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and Action Plan.

According to her, the SET4LYF Programme is a significant step towards achieving these goals, even as she urged stakeholders to join forces to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Nigerian women and children.

She said: “Under the SET4LYF programme, in collaboration with Junior Achievement Nigeria, LEAD Camp will inspire over 10,500 adolescent girls across 21 states and the FCT, with the broader goal of reaching 180,000 adolescents nationwide. This is not just a camp; it’s a movement for igniting the future. Today, we also unveil the National Child Advancement and Achievement Programme (NCAAP), a flagship intervention under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Programmes.

“NCAAP will establish child-friendly hubs in all 774 LGAs, support vulnerable and gifted children through the Special Kids Endowment Initiative, and drive our “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign to empower children and communities to prevent and report abuse, neglect, or exploitation”.

For his part, Country Director, SET4LYF Nigeria, Olaolu Akogun, stated that the programme aims to empower Nigerian adolescents with vital skills, including leadership, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy, to enable them to succeed and take charge of their future.
He listed the 21states where the programme would be implemented to include: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) among others.

He said: “We also supporting them with what we call JA Career Connect, where they will have an opportunity to go through some work readiness programmes to ensure that they’re able to gain employment. While those in TVET institutions will be able to establish businesses.

“This is a transitional, pathway programme that will ensure that they are well established, and that’s why we’re really establishing our partnerships with government agencies such as the Women Affairs that we have really done today”.