By: Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The British Council, in partnership with King’s Trust International and the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has launched the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge (YSEC) in Jigawa State — a targeted intervention to empower 80 young people, including Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs), with ICT and essential soft skills.
The programme, flagged off at the Manpower Development Institute (MDI), Dutse, is part of the British Council’s global “Youth Connect” initiative. The YSEC programme is designed to create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship, particularly among Nigeria’s youth facing rising unemployment.
Speaking at the launch, CITAD’s Senior Programme Officer, Isah Garba, described the initiative as a timely response to the growing youth unemployment crisis in Nigeria. “Inadequate training, lack of soft and informal skills, and incomplete formal education remain key barriers to employability and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Garba noted that the YSEC programme is inclusive by design, targeting both aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, particularly women and PWDs. “Our focus on digital entrepreneurship, ICT skills, marketing, and soft skills will equip participants to thrive in the digital economy,” he added.
According to him, the initiative is expected not only to transform unemployed youth into successful entrepreneurs but also to generate job opportunities, contributing to economic development in Jigawa State and across Nigeria.
The training marks a bold step toward creating a sustainable, inclusive business ecosystem that fosters innovation, digital literacy, and youth resilience in the face of unemployment.