NIGERIA – In a landmark week for youth empowerment, the Youth Employability Booster Project successfully concluded its maiden graduation ceremonies across three Salesian key hubs: Lagos, Abuja, and Obosi. Supported by the Mastercard Foundation and Young Africa Nigeria, the ceremonies marked a significant milestone in equipping Nigerian youth with the market-ready skills necessary to navigate the modern workforce.
On February 6th, 2026, the Lagos Centre at Iju hosted a prestigious ceremony to honour its first cohort. The event featured high-level industry insights aimed at transitioning graduates from the classroom to the corporate world.
- Keynote Address: Mr Mayowa Adanlawo, Business Development Manager at Wema Bank, delivered a powerful charge to the graduands on financial literacy and business growth.
- Industry Expertise: Mrs Theresa Amaechi, Head of People, Culture, and Transformation at Workforce Group, shared invaluable perspectives on workplace culture and professional adaptability.
- Partnership: The event was graced by representatives from the Mastercard Foundation and Young Africa Nigeria, underscoring the collaborative effort behind the project’s success.
In Ibolo Obosi, the atmosphere was vibrant as the Young Africa International/Don Bosco Initiatives Mobile Training Cohort 1 celebrated its completion.
A total of 114 participants graduated after intensive training across diverse skill areas. This cohort, specifically sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation, highlighted the “life-changing” nature of the mobile training model, which brings high-quality vocational education directly to local communities.
The celebrations kicked off earlier in the week on February 4th, 2026, at the Abuja Centre in Kubwa. The maiden ceremony was described as a moment of deep reflection and inspiration.
Organisers praised the graduands for their consistency and determination, noting that this graduation is not just an end, but a “meaningful step forward” in their professional journeys. Like the Lagos event, the Abuja ceremony was bolstered by the presence of key partners who reaffirmed their commitment to empowering Nigerian youth with future-proof skills.
