Oando Foundation Launches Green Youth Upskilling Program to Boost Nigeria’s Green Economy
Oando Foundation, an independent charity supporting Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education goals, has launched the pilot phase of the Green Youth Upskilling Program (GYUP), a workforce development initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerians with technical and entrepreneurial skills in renewable energy, waste management, and green enterprise development.
The program — implemented in partnership with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC) and supported by technical training providers — will run for nine months to address workforce gaps in Nigeria’s growing circular economy and promote youth participation in sustainable development.
GYUP goes beyond training by fostering green entrepreneurship, equipping participants with the skills needed to start and manage small-scale businesses that create jobs and support environmental sustainability. Leveraging NCIC’s partner network and hub infrastructure, the program is structured to be scalable and replicable, enabling participants to apply their knowledge, employ others, and share learnings within their communities.
“The Green Youth Upskilling Program was developed in response to two pressing needs — empowering our youth and driving climate action. Over the next nine months, we will equip 25 exceptional young Nigerians with practical skills in renewable energy, sustainable waste management, and green enterprise development,” said Tonia Uduimoh, Head of Oando Foundation.
Launched as the first program under the Foundation’s PLANET initiative, GYUP expands Oando Foundation’s work in climate action education and youth enterprise development. After a national call for applications in July, the initiative received over 8,000 applications, from which 25 outstanding individuals were selected as the inaugural cohort of Green Youth Champions.
Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of NCIC, underscored the broader goal of the partnership: building technical and entrepreneurial capacity among youth to drive a thriving green economy. “To build a thriving green economy, we must invest in the right skill sets—technical, entrepreneurial, and climate-focused. The GYUP is a catalyst for creating sustainable green jobs,” he said.
The launch ceremony brought together executives, internship host companies, and industry leaders, including representatives such as Hakeem Disu (Managing Director, Lihon Energy), Akpo Everest (Managing Director, Ivarest Global), and Olapeju Ibekwe (CEO, Sterling One Foundation).
As the pilot phase begins, the Green Youth Upskilling Program is positioned to drive long-term impact by preparing young Nigerians for a climate-smart economy, supporting national goals on green growth, youth employment, and environmental sustainability.
