The Oando Foundation has unveiled its Green Youth Upskilling Programme (GYUP), an initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment while promoting climate action in Nigeria. The programme, launched in Lagos in partnership with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre and other technical training providers, will equip young Nigerians with hands-on skills in renewable energy, sustainable waste management, and green enterprise development.
According to the foundation, 25 participants were selected from over 8,000 applications for the nine-month pilot phase, where they will receive intensive technical and entrepreneurial training designed to prepare them for opportunities in Nigeria’s growing circular economy. Head of Oando Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh, described the initiative as a response to the dual challenges of joblessness and the need for climate-responsive skills, noting that over two million green jobs could be created in Nigeria by 2030.
CEO of NCIC, Bankole Oloruntoba, hailed the programme as a catalyst for building a sustainable green workforce. Stakeholders from the public and private sectors attended the launch, including leaders from Lihon Energy, Ivarest Global, and Sterling One Foundation. The GYUP, part of Oando Foundation’s LEARNOVATE strategy, is designed to be scalable nationwide, helping more youth acquire climate-smart skills while driving environmental sustainability and economic inclusion.