Challenge: With half of Nigeria’s population comprising youth and 25.7% of them disengaged from education, employment, or training, the need for targeted skill development has never been more critical. This demographic crisis called for urgent interventions to bridge the skill gap and enhance employability among Nigerian youth.
Action: NerdzFactory, supported by an $83k grant from the US African Development Foundation (USADF) and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) as well as technical assistance from Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI), embarked on an ambitious project to train youths in graphic design, product design, and entrepreneurship. This initiative was part of the broader USADF-LSETF Employability program, aiming to arm participants with in-demand digital skills.
Result: Over two years, NerdzFactory’s program trained 150 students, nearly half of whom were females, achieving a remarkable 75% job placement rate. This success significantly boosted income generation and employability skills among Lagos State’s youth. Muyiwa Ogundele, a proud beneficiary, shares, “Learning graphics and product design at NerdzFactory is one of the best things that has happened to me in the last 5 years… a very big thank you to the sponsors for this opportunity,” highlighting the transformative impact of this initiative on individuals and the community at large.