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Yaba College of Technology, in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners, has inaugurated the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) Programme to equip 5,250 girls and young women with essential ICT skills. This initiative aims to provide young women with the expertise needed to excel in their careers and become community leaders.
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With the launch of a 50-seat Information Communication Technology Hub in Lagos, the programme will offer training in skills such as mobile phone repair and maintenance, computer hardware repair, website development, and mobile app development.
Dr. Abdul Ibraheem, the Rector of the college, emphasized the vision of the programme: providing crucial life skills, technical training, and leadership opportunities. “The goal is to create a comprehensive framework by partnering with local communities, government bodies, NGOs, and industry experts,” he stated.
Key components of the programme include developing TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institutions to offer market-relevant skills through gender-sensitive teaching methods, training 1,750 primary beneficiaries aged 13-24 in four ICT areas, and supporting women in ICT businesses to enhance livelihood security.
Breaking down barriers to women’s participation in STEM fields
Dr. Ibraheem highlighted that educating girls leads to healthier choices, economic growth, and community upliftment. Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, the Project Coordinator, described the initiative as a significant step toward gender equality and breaking down barriers to women’s participation in STEM fields. She noted, “Over 700 girls have already registered for the free training starting in October, reflecting a strong demand for such opportunities.”
UNICEF’s Education Specialist, Babagana Aminu, mentioned that the programme also includes provisions for women with disabilities, aiming to equip them with modern skills. He projected that by the end of the programme, about 40,000 young women would have gained these skills. He commended the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) for its funding and urged YABATECH to ensure broad participation of women in the training.
