In Nigeria, there has been growing concern over the decline in values among adolescents and the need to empower them through education
The federal government, in partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria, a Non-governmental organization, on Tuesday launched a programme, LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement, andDevelopment) Camp 2025, an initiative aimed at empowering 180, 000 adolescents especially vulnerable girls in underserved communities across the country.
The Camp 2025 implemented through the SET4LYF programme, seeks to equip adolescents with entrepreneurial, digital, leadership and life skills, offering them 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, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, minister of Women Affairs and Social Development informed that the 2025 LEAD Camp will prioritise adolescent girls, with subsequent editions designed to include boys.
The minister, who was represented by Maryam Keshinro, permanent secretary of the ministry, described the programme 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 ademographic 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 thatthey can compete and win on the world stage”, she said.
“As we launch LEAD Camp 2025 and unveil the National Child Advancement andAchievement Programme (NCAP), we do so with a renewed pledge: that everyNigerian child, girl or boy, rural or urban, vulnerable or gifted, will rise, lead, and shape aNigeria that is safe, just, inclusive, and future-ready”, she added.
In his remarks, Olaolu Akogun, country director, SET4LYF Nigeria, noted that the programme focuses on adolescents in underseved communities by giving them the skills, voice and platform to compete globally. He alos explained that the initiative will prioritise girls, with a 70:30 participation ratio of girls to boys.
“The progrmme program is designed to equip our adolescents with the skills that matter mostly 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.
“They will gain digital literacy 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 programme will be delivered in schools, camps, homes, and communities across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, using content centred on social learning and action.
“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 Cyrus International School, expressed her excitement at being part of the programme. 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 thr girl child do not have much privileges. So it’s good to have like a platform for your voice to be advocated for. This progrmmae 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.
