A graduation ceremony and business pitch competition marked the successful conclusion of the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Project in Kano, Nigeria. The initiative, led by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), empowered 60 young people with the knowledge and resources to become successful business owners.
This collaborative effort, partnered with the British Council and Prince’s Trust International (PTI), aimed to cultivate an “entrepreneurial mindset” among participants, according to Isah Garba, Senior Programmes Officer at CITAD.
Mr. Garba added that the project specifically focused on nurturing “value-driven businesses” that were sustainable, environmentally friendly, creative, and innovative.
“CITAD’s goal was not just to create business owners, but also to tackle unemployment by encouraging youth to become employers.”
“The program culminated in a pitch competition, where 16 participants presented their business ideas. Eight were chosen as winners, receiving a grant of ₦150,000 each to launch their ventures. CITAD will continue to support these graduates by connecting them with loan providers and offering guidance on securing additional funding.”
Yahaya Janga, Programme Manager for Non-Formal Education Youth Connects at the British Council, applauded CITAD for leading the initiative in Kano, alongside Enugu and Lagos as pilot states.
He emphasized the project’s potential and called for increased investment from both the public and private sectors. Janga’s vision extended beyond Nigeria, advocating for the program’s expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Rukkaya Usman Ibrahim, a project beneficiary chosen for a special trip to the UK, exemplified the program’s success. Her business idea – a “Meal Kit Delivery Service” – aimed to simplify healthy meal preparation for busy women while promoting local cuisine and combating malnutrition. Rukkaya’s story highlighted the project’s impact on empowering young people to make a positive change in their communities.
The Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Project serves as a model for equipping young Nigerians with the tools they need to become self-reliant entrepreneurs and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
