In a move to bridge Nigeria’s youth unemployment gap and accelerate climate action, Oando Foundation has officially launched the Green Youth Upskilling Programme (GYUP), a pilot workforce development initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians with green skills and entrepreneurial capacity.
The launch event also introduced the program’s implementing partner, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), and key technical training providers who will support the rollout. Designed to span nine months, GYUP focuses on building technical and entrepreneurial skills in renewable energy, waste management, and green enterprise development, core pillars of Nigeria’s circular economy.
With Nigeria facing a 12.5% youth disengagement rate (young people not in education, employment, or training), the program presents a timely intervention. According to Tonia Uduimoh, Head of Oando Foundation, the initiative addresses two critical needs: “empowering our youth and driving climate action.”
“The Green Youth Upskilling Programme was developed in response to the opportunity gap. With the potential for over 2 million green jobs by 2030, GYUP is equipping young people with the tools to build businesses and careers that are climate-resilient,” said Uduimoh.
GYUP goes beyond technical training. It aims to create a pipeline of green entrepreneurs, empowering participants to establish and manage small-scale ventures that tackle waste and energy challenges while creating jobs within their communities.
Using the NCIC’s nationwide hub infrastructure, the program is built to scale and replicate, creating a ripple effect as trained participants train others and integrate green solutions in local economies.
Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of NCIC, highlighted the program’s broader vision:
“The GYUP is a catalyst. To build a thriving green economy, we must invest in technical, entrepreneurial, and climate-focused skill sets. This program moves us from conversations about youth unemployment to tangible action.”
As Nigeria looks to diversify its economy and meet global climate obligations, GYUP stands out as a flagship initiative aligning youth development with environmental sustainability. The pilot lays a strong foundation for expansion in the coming years, especially as green enterprise becomes a viable path for economic resilience.
Founded in 2011, Oando Foundation has long supported Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education goals. With GYUP, it now takes a bold step into the green skills space, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive, sustainable development.
