By Ada Nkong
The Federal government, in partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria, a Non-governmental organization, on Tuesday launched SET4LYF (School-To-Work Educational Transitions for Long-Term Youth Fulfillment), an initiative aimed at empowering 180,000 adolescents, especially vulnerable girls in underserved communities across the country.
SET4LYF aims to equip adolescents with entrepreneurial, digital, leadership, and life skills, providing them with the tools to make meaningful contributions to their lives and society. The initiative is expected to run for four years across 21 states.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday in Abuja, Olaolu Akogun, Country Director, SET4LYF, noted that the program focuses on adolescents in underserved communities by giving them the skills, voice, and platform to compete globally. He also explained that the initiative will prioritise girls, with a 70:30 participation ratio of girls to boys.
“SET4LYF is designed to equip our adolescents with the skills that matter most in today’s world and tomorrow’s economy. Through this initiative, they will be empowered with leadership skills that will help them develop a bold, value-driven mindset and the confidence to lead. They will gain entrepreneurship skills to unlock their creativity and build ventures that create real impact.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, informed that SET4LYF is a vision crafted with purpose and rooted in a deep belief that every Nigerian child has a right to be heard, equipped, and empowered to lead with confidence and influence.
The minister, who was represented by Maryam Keshinro, permanent secretary of the ministry, described the program as “a movement for igniting the future”, stating that, a truly developed nation must nurture all children to reach their full potential”.
“With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, we are sitting on a demographic goldmine. Nigerian youth are not just promising, they are delivering. From scoring in the 99th percentile in international tests like the SATs and IELTS to winning six global coding, AI, and robotics competitions in 2024, our youth consistently prove that they can compete and win on the world stage”, she said.
“As we launch SET4LYF, we do so with a renewed pledge: that every Nigerian child, girl or boy, rural or urban, vulnerable or gifted, will rise, lead, and shape a Nigeria that is safe, just, inclusive, and future-ready,” she added.
Olaolu Akogun further noted that “he participants will gain digital literacy that will ensure that they are not just users of technology, but creators, holders, and innovators. And with strong life skills, they will grow into confident, resilient young women with effective communication abilities with a clear sense of purpose. We are preparing them not just to participate in the society, but to lead it,” Akogun said.
According to him, the program will be delivered in schools, camps, homes, and communities across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, using content centred on social learning and action.
In collaboration with Junior Achievement Africa, we are working to build a future where every Nigerian is not just seen or heard, but empowered, equipped, and unstoppable. Through collaboration, innovation, and intentional investment, we are raising a generation that is not only set for life but ready to lead. A girl empowered is a nation established,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Anyeboneme Jennifer, a student of Cyprus International School, expressed her excitement at being part of the program. She observed that women’s voices are not heard enough and said the initiative provides an opportunity to bridge that gap.
“I feel very privileged to be part of this. Most times it seems that the girl child does not have many privileges. So it’s good to have a platform for your voice to be advocated for. This program will give me more knowledge about things happening. It will also boost my personality and my willpower to be more in the country,” she said.
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