The Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in collaboration with The New Turn for Youth Enthusiasm and Development (NYED) has concluded an eight-week training program aimed at equipping out-of-school youths with digital and entrepreneurship skills in Kano.
Speaking during the closing session, the program coordinator, Ibrahim Nuhu, said the initiative, tagged Youth Out-of-School Creativity and Filter Program, was designed to empower young people with practical knowledge in digital technology and entrepreneurship.
He noted that participants, mostly from Medile community, were trained on computer operations, smartphone usage, and digital entrepreneurship. “Most of them had never used a computer before, but now they can confidently operate one and apply their skills in business,” he said.
Nuhu added that CITAD plans to continue mentoring the participants to help them advance their entrepreneurial ventures while calling on government and community stakeholders to support the initiative by providing essential tools like computers and smartphones to sustain the youths’ learning journey.
- Tinubu orders manhunt after attackers kill at least 30 in Niger market raid
- Bandits kill 8 people in Kebbi
He emphasized that the passion and commitment displayed by the trainees reflect the potential impact of digital literacy in transforming lives and reducing unemployment among out-of-school youth.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of NYED, Amb. Abdulsalam Haruna Suleiman, said the program was introduced to bridge the digital gap and uncover the hidden potential of out-of-school youths who are often neglected due to their lack of formal education.
“We are in a digital era, and many young people who didn’t attend school still possess natural talents. Unfortunately, society often overlooks them. This project was designed to help them explore their talents, develop new skills, and connect with relevant opportunities,” he said.
According to Amb. Suleiman, the pilot phase trained 25 beneficiaries and also the next phase will target another 25 youths, with plans to reach at least 500 beneficiaries within a year through a batch-by-batch model.
He further explained that NYED worked closely with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), community members, traditional leaders, and parents to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
The Executive Director revealed that a special graduation ceremony would be held in two weeks to celebrate the trainees’ achievements while also calling on the Kano State Government, private sector players, and relevant agencies to partner with NYED to expand the project’s reach across the state.
Halima Abdullahi Muhammad, a participant from Medile Community, expressed appreciation to CITAD and NYED for giving them the opportunity to participate in the training, noting that before now, she had a phobia for operating computers.
“I understood that computers started with arithmetic tools like the Abacus, calendar, and other basic operations. I also learnt digital entrepreneurship skills,” she said.
Another participant, Zainab Isa Umar, expressed delight in taking part in the training, stating that she learnt how computers evolved from large machines to the mini devices used today.
On entrepreneurship, she added, “We learnt how to advertise our products digitally, and I wish relevant stakeholders would support this program with the necessary resources to benefit our communities.”
