KEY POINTS
- Oando Foundation launched the Green Youth Upskilling Programme to train Nigerian youth in climate-related sectors like renewable energy and green enterprise.
- The nine-month initiative targets unemployment and climate risks by combining technical training, mentorship, and seed funding support.
- Run in partnership with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, the program is designed to be scalable across the country and directly aligned with labor market demands.
Oando Foundation has launched a new initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment and accelerating climate action in Nigeria through practical upskilling.
The Green Youth Upskilling Programme (GYUP), unveiled Thursday in Lagos, targets young Nigerians with a nine-month intensive training in renewable energy, climate technology, sustainable waste management, and green enterprise development.
Tonia Uduimoh, Head of Oando Foundation, said the program will equip participants—dubbed Green Champions—with the tools and entrepreneurial mindset needed to thrive in Nigeria’s emerging green economy. “This program is not just about training,” Uduimoh said during the event. “It’s about creating leaders of tomorrow who will protect the environment and drive inclusive economic growth.”
She noted that 12.5% of youth aged 15–24 in Nigeria are currently out of school, unemployed, or not in any form of training, while the green economy could generate over two million jobs by 2030. Out of over 8,000 applicants, 25 individuals were selected for the pilot cohort. These trainees will receive mentorship, seed funding, and support to launch climate-smart enterprises and community initiatives.
Foundation Collaborates with Nigerian Climate Innovation Centre
A central part of the Foundation’s broader LEARNOVATE strategy, GYUP aligns with the PLANET pillar, which focuses on climate-sensitive education and green skills. The initiative is being executed in collaboration with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), and designed to be replicated nationwide.
NCIC’s CEO, Bankole Oloruntoba, emphasized the pressing shortage of technical expertise in the renewable energy and circular economy sectors, calling the program a “strategic, demand-driven project” tailored to market realities. He stressed that beyond job creation, the program would help improve operational efficiency and cut business costs within the green sector.
“We cannot just talk about unemployment,” he said. “We must act. The green economy presents an alternative and growing economic pathway, and Nigeria must build early systems to take advantage of that.”
GYUP will roll out in three stages—sector mapping and stakeholder engagement, technical training and apprenticeship, and post-training grant support. Selection for grant funding will be based on performance metrics like consistency, responsiveness, and team skills. The training phase is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.
