The MAI Foundation for Women Empowerment and Advocacy, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has launched the Imu Oru Upskilling Project, a one-year initiative designed to train and empower 120 young people in Abia State with practical skills in carpentry, tailoring, and shoemaking.
The project integrates the Igba Boi (Igbo Apprenticeship System), a traditional socio-economic model where masters mentor apprentices, transferring trade and business knowledge over time.
Founder of the MAI Foundation, Chika Ezinma Obidike, said the apprenticeship model offers an immersive learning experience that equips participants with real-world expertise and entrepreneurial confidence.
“The Imu Oru Upskilling Project goes beyond vocational training; it is designed to strengthen local economies, build resilient communities, and promote gender equality and socio-economic empowerment,” Obidike explained.
She noted that research shows beneficiaries of vocational programs in Nigeria earn up to 30 percent more than their unskilled peers, while more than 60 percent go on to train others within their communities, multiplying the impact.
At the end of the program, each participant will receive starter kits and business resources to help them establish and grow their ventures, creating ripple effects of opportunity and innovation across Abia communities.
Project Manager Amanda Obidike described the partnership as a reflection of the shared vision between MAI Foundation and the Mastercard Foundation to bridge critical skills gaps and empower Nigeria’s youth.
“Beyond technical expertise, participants will undergo intensive training in soft skills, business development, and financial literacy to ensure they can successfully launch, manage, and sustain their enterprises,” she said.
By combining traditional mentorship with modern business education, the Imu Oru Upskilling Project aims to build a generation of skilled, self-reliant entrepreneurs capable of driving inclusive growth and innovation in Nigeria’s MSME sector.
