Funmilayo Doherty, a PhD holder, is the coordinator, Girls Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) programme at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech). She is also a chief lecturer and director, Center for Research Support and Grants Management, respectively at Yabatech. In this interview with OBINNA EMELIKE, she speaks on the GESP initiative, why it is targeted at girls, the successful first cohort, impressive response by the beneficiaries, impact so far, need for more funding and support to reach out to more girls across the country.

What is the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) all about, and what inspired its creation?

The initiative was established by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s Generation Unlimited together with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and major businesses. It aims to support access to high quality and market relevant skills for young women aged 13-24, promoting equality of choice and access to opportunities in learning, skilling, and livelihoods.

With over 70 years of experience in technical and vocational education and training, Yaba College of Technology leveraged its expertise to apply for the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP). To address local needs and bridge the gap between education and employment, YabaTech designed a project focused on improving the livelihoods and future opportunities of young women and adolescent girls (ages 13-24) by equipping them with the skills needed to secure employment in ICT-related sectors, which are traditionally male-dominated industries. It was created to bridge the gender gap in skills training. GESP was born out of the recognition that, despite their potential, many women face barriers to access the support and opportunities needed to turn their skills into sustainable careers.

This aligns with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which advocates for inclusion and gender equality in STEM and technical fields. Even in the 21st century, some people still hold the belief that girls should not be educated. So, GESP was launched at Yaba College of Technology in 2024 to ensure that women are not left behind in the rapidly evolving world of work.

What specific skills and training does the programme offer to young women, and how does it set them up for success?

The GESP provides training, amid focus on four market-relevant digital skill clusters, including: GSM and mobile phone repairs; computer hardware maintenance and repairs; mobile applications development, and web application development; and soft skills including entrepreneurial skills, business management, leadership, product development, networking, and public speaking. Our mentorship programme, which includes volunteers and mentors from the Vodafone UK Women in Business Network, helps young women to develop these skills in both virtual and physical training sessions.

By equipping them with both technical and soft skills, we prepare them not just for employment but for entrepreneurship and leadership roles in various industries.

How does GESP ensure that girls from underserved backgrounds can access the free programmes?

One of our core principles is inclusivity. We deliberately target young women from low income and underserved communities, providing free training, mentorship, and resources. We are reaching out to girls in Agege and our mastercrafts train them. We take the GESP training to them in their communities. We are looking at recruiting girls in Makoko and other underserved areas in Lagos State. We also give them transport stipend for those who cannot afford to come for training, we also give data to the girls in addition to free training. Startup tool kits will be given on completion of the training.

Can you share a success story of a young woman whose life has been transformed by GESP?

Before joining the GESP programme, none of the young women had prior training in the four ICT skill areas. However, through the programme, they have gained hands-on expertise in laptop and GSM repair, website development, and mobile application development. The first cohort began training in November 2024, and as they complete their programme in February 2025, many have already secured internship opportunities, employment offers, and business prospects based on their newly acquired skills. By showcasing their abilities on social media, the trainees are attracting professional opportunities and expanding their networks.

Additionally, some of them are now competent enough to support the programme as trainers. In fields like GSM repair and computer hardware maintenance, where female mastercrafts persons are rare, this training is beginning to change the landscape, empowering more women to excel and lead in these technical areas, in line with International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

What are the partnerships that have boosted the success of GESP?

Collaborations have been key to GESP’s impact, and we are proud to have strong partnerships with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, Vodafone UK, INASP UK, and other industry leaders. These partners provide essential support, including mentorship, funding, and technical expertise, ensuring our trainees receive a well-rounded learning experience.

Yabatech and INASP UK play a vital role in implementing a gender-responsive pedagogy approach, creating an inclusive learning environment. Vodafone UK supports mentorship programmes focused on communication, leadership, and other essential soft skills.

Additionally, we collaborate with industry professionals to provide hands-on workplace training, equipping trainees with real-world experience. The Canada Skills Council further enhances the programme by offering resources in various technical and vocational skills, broadening the scope of opportunities available to our trainees.

What are some of the major challenges you have encountered in implementing GESP?

Cultural resistance to women entering male-dominated fields has been a major challenge. But we tackled it through advocacy and community engagement. By showcasing success stories and providing strong mentorship, we are gradually changing mindsets and encouraging more women to embrace skills training. We are providing transport stipends to encourage and motivate the girls. Many of them do not have personal laptops in their homes for the training, so we have provided laptops in the tech hub for them to access for the practical training.

How do you measure the success of the programme, and what improvements are you looking to make?

Success is measured through various indicators, including the number of women trained and who are competent, over 500 girls for the first cohort and we plan training over 5000 in Lagos, employment and entrepreneurship rates, and feedback from both trainees and mentors. We also track how many graduates go on to mentor others, as this reflects the sustainability of our impact. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our training curriculum, incorporate more industry partnerships, and introduce other levels of NSQ certifications that enhance employability.

What is your vision for the future of girls’ education and skills training in Nigeria?

My vision is for every young woman in Nigeria to have access to quality education and practical skills training that enables her to thrive in any field she chooses. I want to see more women breaking barriers in technology, science, entrepreneurship, and leadership. By scaling programmes like GESP-Yabatech and integrating more technical and vocational training into mainstream education, we can create a future where gender no longer determines economic opportunities.

What is your advice for young women who want to build skills, but face societal or financial barriers?

My advice is to start where you are and use the resources available. Seek out free training opportunities, leverage online learning platforms, and connect with mentors on platforms like LinkedIn who can guide you. Challenges will always exist, but persistence and a willingness to learn can open doors. Most importantly, believe in your potential, your skills and knowledge can be powerful tools for creating the future you want.

How can individuals, organisations or the government support GESP’s mission?

The current funding ends December 2025, we need to sustain the initiative beyond the date. We seek support to take it beyond the date and beyond the 5000 target we have and also scale up to other regions in Nigeria. Organisations can partner with us to provide funding beyond the project timeline, and beyond the numbers, mentorship, and internship opportunities. Individuals can volunteer as mentors or trainers to share their expertise. The government is already playing a crucial role by integrating skills training into educational policies. Together, we can create an ecosystem that ensures no woman is left behind in the journey toward economic empowerment. GESP is one of the many programmes we do. We also do more training in gender responsive pedagogy.

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