An initiative designed to equip at least 25 Nigerian youths with technical and entrepreneurial skills in the green economy has been launched by Oando Foundation, an independent charity established to support the federal government in achieving its Universal Basic Education goal.
This new scheme, known as the Green Youth Upskilling Programme, will train young persons about ways to make a living from the renewable energy and waste management sectors for nine months.
For the seamless execution of this initiative, Oando Foundation has partnered with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC).
The launch of GYUP represents a significant milestone in Oando Foundation’s sustainability journey.
As the first program of its kind under the foundation’s ‘PLANET’ initiative, it expands the organisation’s footprint in climate action education and youth enterprise development.
Following a call for applications in early July, the initiative received over 8,000 applications, from which 25 outstanding individuals were selected to become the inaugural cohort of Green Youth Champions.
The Green Youth Upskilling Programme (GYUP) is positioned to drive long-term impact by equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for a climate-smart economy.
The Head of Oando Foundation, Ms Tonia Uduimoh, emphasized the organisation’s long-standing commitment to education and sustainable development, noting that the GYUP represents a strategic response to youth unemployment and the urgent need for climate-responsive skills.
“The Green Youth Upskilling Program was developed in response to two pressing needs – empowering our youth and driving climate action.
“With 12.5 per cent of Nigerian youth not in education, employment, or training, and the potential for over 2 million green jobs by 2030, this programme bridges that opportunity gap.
“Over the next nine months, we will equip 25 exceptional young Nigerians with practical skills in renewable energy, sustainable waste management, and green enterprise development.
“GYUP aligns with the PLANET component of our LEARNOVATE strategy, and through our partnership with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, we are creating a scalable, replicable model that empowers young people, supports climate action, and fuels economic inclusion,” she stated.
In his remarks, the chief executive of NCIC, Mr Bankole Oloruntoba, highlighted the importance of building technical capacity among youth and the broader goal of the GYUP partnership.
“To build a thriving green economy, we must invest in the right skill sets—technical, entrepreneurial, and climate-focused. The GYUP is not just a program; it is a catalyst for action, helping us move beyond conversations about unemployment toward building sustainable green jobs that will endure,” he said.