In collaboration with Yikodeen Footwear Limited, the federal government has initiated a free leatherwork training program for 100 individuals in Lagos, aimed at addressing youth unemployment. The Senior Special Assistant to the President for Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (SSATVEE), Abiola Arogundade, revealed that 50% of the beneficiaries would have the opportunity for direct employment with the firm, while the remaining 50% would gain access to non-collateral loans.
During the opening ceremony in Isolo, Lagos, Arogundade emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to youth development and skill acquisition as vital components of economic growth. The one-month training program runs from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
Arogundade stated, “Currently, the number of skilled workers among youths in Nigeria is 15 percent; we want to move that up to 50 percent from the low-skilled and the semi-skilled. We’re trying to push it up to create more economic activity in the country and increase the highly skilled population to 15 percent.”
The Managing Director of Yikodeen Factory, Atunde Shamsideen, highlighted the workshop’s contribution to societal goals and underscored the importance of youth empowerment in nation-building. The month-long training covers the basics of footwear making, including industrial aspects, machinery usage, shoe production, as well as finance and marketing courses.
Mosaku Ayodele, the National Chairman of Cobblers and Leathers Artisans Association of Nigeria, encouraged the trainees to leverage the opportunity to discover their talents and focus on self-development, emphasizing that self-reliance is key to success in life.
