By Benson Daniel
No fewer than 641 teenagers have received training in digital, creative and vocational skills through an initiative designed to expose young people to practical opportunities beyond the conventional school curriculum.
The training was organised by Olivehill Development Initiative in collaboration with TOM Camp Outreach Ministries and held at Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja, on August 12, 2026.
The programme exposed participants to about 20 different skills, combining digital education with practical vocational sessions aimed at helping the teenagers discover areas of interest and develop useful abilities for the future.
Among the digital skills introduced were mobile cinematography, cybersecurity, coding and graphics design. Participants also received hands on training in practical areas including fascinator making, bead making, hand fan production, soap making, scented candle production, shoe making and crocheting.
Unlike programmes that rely mainly on classroom demonstrations, the training allowed participants to work directly with materials and practise selected skills during the sessions.
The organisers said the approach was intended to give the teenagers early exposure to practical skills that could eventually become sources of employment, entrepreneurship or further professional development.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Operating Officer of Olivehill Development Initiative, Idara Umana, said the organisation was pleased to continue its partnership with TOM Camp for a second year.
She stressed that education should prepare young people not only for examinations but also with the confidence and practical abilities required to solve problems and contribute meaningfully to society.
According to her, exposing young people to skills and giving them opportunities to practise them could broaden their understanding of possible career paths and help them develop greater confidence in their abilities.
A representative of TOM Camp, Victor Ajibolu, described the programme as an important step towards preparing teenagers for the economic realities of the future.
He said the training could help participants become more creative, competitive and capable of developing solutions to challenges within their communities.
The initiative also provided an opportunity for participants to explore fields they might not ordinarily encounter through their regular school activities.
For some of the teenagers, the exposure offered a clearer understanding of potential career paths. One participant who took part in the cybersecurity session said the training helped her understand how to protect systems and encouraged her to consider pursuing cybersecurity in the future.
The programme came as young people globally marked International Youth Day, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for teenagers to acquire relevant skills and participate meaningfully in economic and social development.
The organisers said the collaboration would continue to focus on practical learning and youth development, with the aim of giving more young people access to digital and vocational opportunities.
The initiative highlights the growing importance of combining formal education with technical and practical skills as Nigeria seeks to prepare its young population for an increasingly technology driven economy.
With continued investment in digital literacy, vocational education and entrepreneurship, programmes of this nature could help young Nigerians develop skills that complement their academic qualifications and improve their readiness for future employment opportunities.
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