An entrepreneurship development centre in Oyo State, Nigeria, graduated 153 students from a skills acquisition programme designed to reduce youth unemployment through practical trades aligned with local market demand.
The ceremony highlighted trades such as tailoring, digital marketing, agro-processing, and light manufacturing chosen for employability in southwestern Nigeria. Organizers said curricula paired classroom instruction with apprenticeships at nearby businesses willing to mentor graduates.
State officials attending the event described the cohort as part of a broader push to channel young Nigerians toward self-employment when formal sector hiring remains constrained by economic headwinds and demographic pressure on job creation.
Graduates received starter kits and certificates recognized by partner banks for microloans intended to help alumni purchase tools and materials for independent work rather than waiting for scarce wage positions.
Participants shared testimonials about learning practical skills after years of job searching without success. Trainers emphasized financial literacy modules intended to help alumni manage early revenue and reinvest in equipment as small enterprises grow.
The Oyo State entrepreneurship centre marked the completion of its skills programme by graduating 153 participants equipped for trades aimed at easing youth joblessness in communities across the state.
Officials said the Oyo programme targets idle youth by pairing classroom instruction with market-linked trades, hoping repeat cohorts can expand beyond the initial 153 graduates showcased at the ceremony.
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Sources:
News Headlines May 24, 2026. Headlines From Nigeria’s Major Newspapers