A non-governmental organisation, Path to Possibilities, has called for increased investment in vocational training and education as a strategy to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and reduce youth unemployment.
The Founder of the organisation, Titilolami Bello, made the call during the 10th anniversary and graduation ceremony of beneficiaries of its tailoring programme held at its resource centre in Ikota, Ajah, Lagos, on Sunday.
Bello emphasised the need to diversify the country’s education system to include more vocational and skills-based training, noting that Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally.
“We need to diversify education through vocational training and practical skills to engage more out-of-school children. Government at all levels must commit more funds to enhance education and vocational skills development,” she said.
She explained that Path to Possibilities, founded in 2009, established its community resource centre in 2016 to provide underserved children and youths with access to books, digital learning and vocational education.
According to her, the centre operates a library and a computer laboratory with free internet access, where full-time instructors teach basic digital and computer literacy skills.
“Many schools within the community lack computer laboratories and rely on our centre to expose their pupils to practical computer education through scheduled visits,” she said.
Bello added that the centre also serves as a safe space for vulnerable girls, providing access to sanitary products and other essential support, while also organising workshops on CV writing and interview skills to improve employability.
She disclosed that the organisation introduced its tailoring programme in 2025 to provide out-of-school youths and secondary school graduates with employable skills. The first batch of five trainees successfully completed the 12-month tuition-free programme.
Despite its achievements, Bello identified poor electricity supply as a major challenge affecting operations, adding that plans were underway to install a solar power system to ensure uninterrupted learning.
She commended partners and donors for their support and appealed to established fashion designers to offer apprenticeship opportunities to graduates of the programme to enhance their skills and career prospects.
Bello stressed that addressing youth unemployment and educational challenges requires strong collaboration between government and the private sector.
Also speaking, a Trustee and Director of the organisation, Funmilola Akanmu, said the initiative was designed to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged children.
She explained that the organisation initially focused on sponsoring secondary school education for selected children and has so far supported at least 20 students through six years of schooling.
“Path to Possibilities covers school fees, uniforms, books and all educational requirements without any financial contribution from parents. Many of the beneficiaries are orphans or from low-income families,” she said.
Akanmu added that the resource centre accommodates about 500 children daily for reading programmes and computer training, while schools in the area also schedule visits for their pupils.
She, however, expressed optimism that improved funding for public schools would enhance access to education for more children nationwide.
Beneficiaries of the programme expressed gratitude to the organisation for the opportunity to gain skills.
One of them, Jimoh Orilowo, who has a physical disability, said he overcame initial challenges through encouragement from instructors.
“I am grateful for the opportunity. I can now cut and sew even with one hand,” he said.
Another graduate, Destiny Godwin, said the training had given her hope for a better future.
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“This opportunity means a lot to me. I plan to further my education while improving my tailoring skills,” she said.
The graduates were presented with certificates and sewing machines to support their transition into entrepreneurship.
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