The federal government and FirstBank have renewed calls for skills acquisition and vocational empowerment as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and poverty in Nigeria, especially among women and young people.
The call was made during the graduation ceremony of 50 women who completed a vocational and entrepreneurship training programme organised by FirstBank in partnership with the African Projects Development Centre (APDC) in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Representing the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Saratu Salawu said vocational training remains one of the strongest tools for reducing unemployment, poverty and economic inequality in the country.
She urged beneficiaries of the programme to make productive use of the skills acquired rather than depending on white-collar jobs.
“Do not sit back and wait for someone to arrange a job for you. It is important to have something meaningful you can do for yourself and your community,” she said.
The programme, known as the “You First Fashionistas Training Programme,” was designed to equip women with practical skills in fashion design, hair styling and makeup artistry. Organisers said the initiative is aimed at helping participants become financially independent while supporting Nigeria’s growing creative and beauty industries.
Mrs Nkechi Mathew, who represented the pioneer Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, described the graduation as evidence that Nigerian women are ready to contribute more actively to economic development when given access to opportunities and training.
Participants and stakeholders at the event commended FirstBank and APDC for sustaining the initiative, which they said is creating income opportunities for women and helping to address rising unemployment across the country.
According to FirstBank, the programme is structured to move beneficiaries into the active economy through practical and income-generating skills.
The bank said several participants had already started producing clothes and other fashion-related items for commercial purposes even before the completion of the training.
FirstBank also encouraged the graduates to focus on becoming job creators instead of job seekers.
Speaking at the event, APDC Managing Director, Chiji Ojukwu, said the organisation introduced its vocational and entrepreneurship programmes in response to the growing unemployment challenge facing Nigerian youths and women.
The training programme began on September 16, 2025, and is expected to run until December 18, 2026, before concluding with a fashion fair in 2027.
