Oando Foundation Empowers Nigerian Youth With Green Upskilling Programme

Oando Foundation has launched the Green Youth Upskilling Programme (GYUP) pilot, a workforce development initiative for young Nigerians in the renewable energy and waste management sectors.

The launch also marks the formal introduction of the project implementing partner, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), and technical training providers supporting the programme.

The Green Youth Upskilling Programme is designed to equip young Nigerians with technical and entrepreneurial skills through targeted training in renewable energy, waste management, and green enterprise development over a nine-month period, addressing critical workforce gaps in Nigeria’s growing circular economy and promoting youth participation in sustainable development.

Beyond training, GYUP also aims to foster a new wave of green entrepreneurs by equipping participants with the tools to establish and manage small-scale businesses that contribute to job creation and environmental sustainability.

By leveraging NCIC’s partner network and hub infrastructure, the programme is structured to be both scalable and replicable, creating a ripple effect as participants apply their knowledge, employ others, and share learnings within their communities. This sustainable model supports broader national goals around economic resilience and climate action.

Head of Oando Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh emphasised the organisation’s long-standing commitment to education and sustainable development, noting that the GYUP represents a strategic response to youth unemployment and the urgent need for climate-responsive skills.

She said, “the Green Youth Upskilling Program was developed in response to two pressing needs, empowering our youth and driving climate action. With 12.5 per cent of Nigerian youth not in education, employment, or training, and the potential for over 2 million green jobs by 2030, this programme bridges that opportunity gap. “

The chief executive officer, Nigeria Climate Innovation Center, Bankole Oloruntoba highlighted the importance of building technical capacity among youth and the broader goal of the GYUP partnership.

He said, “to build a thriving green economy, we must invest in the right skill sets—technical, entrepreneurial, and climate-focused. The GYUP is not just a program; it is a catalyst for action, helping us move beyond conversations about unemployment toward building sustainable green jobs that will endure.”

The Green Youth Upskilling Programme (GYUP) is positioned to drive long-term impact by equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for a climate-smart economy. As the pilot phase begins, the program sets a strong foundation for future scale, supporting national goals on green growth, youth employment, and environmental sustainability.

Oando Foundation is an independent charity established in 2011 to support the Nigerian government in achieving its Universal Basic Education goal.