The Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF) recently concluded the 2026 edition of its 'SHE LEARNS' empowerment programme. The initiative, which took place under the organisation's Women and Girls Empowerment Hub (WAGE-H), aimed to equip young people with vocational skills, life skills, confidence, and new pathways to future opportunities. A total of 36 adolescents and young people from Ekiti and Ondo States benefited from the programme. The event concluded with a graduation and exhibition ceremony held in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
The Project Coordinator of SHE LEARNS 2026, Ayomiposi Ogundipe, highlighted the programme's objectives during the graduation ceremony. According to her, the programme was designed to go beyond vocational training, focusing on empowering young people to discover their strengths, build confidence, and make informed decisions. Ogundipe emphasised that vocational skills are essential but not the sole pathway to empowerment. The programme seeks to help young people understand their potential and recognise the various possibilities available to them.
A key component of the SHE LEARNS programme is its life-skills training, which is considered equally important as vocational training. Ogundipe explained that young people may acquire skills such as baking, sewing, or photography, but they also need confidence, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making skills. These life skills can be applied regardless of the career or pathway they choose. The programme aims to provide a comprehensive approach to empowerment, addressing both practical and life skills.
The SHE LEARNS programme is built on the belief that young people have significant potential that requires access to meaningful opportunities. Ogundipe stated that the empowerment programme is not just about encouraging young people to believe in themselves but also about creating platforms where they can discover their abilities, learn, and express themselves. The programme seeks to help young people envision different possibilities for their futures.
The Women and Girls Empowerment Hub (WAGE-H) was established by BIGIF as a platform for empowering adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups. The hub provides training in practical skills, life skills, leadership, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, sexual and reproductive health education, mental wellbeing, and confidence-building. Through initiatives like SHE LEARNS, BIGIF aims to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in Nigeria.
The graduation and exhibition ceremony held in Akure showcased the skills and talents of the programme participants. The event provided an opportunity for the young people to demonstrate their newly acquired skills and showcase their projects. The ceremony was attended by stakeholders and supporters of the programme, who expressed their commitment to empowering young people in Nigeria.
The SHE LEARNS programme is part of BIGIF's efforts to promote sustainable development and empower vulnerable groups in Nigeria. Through initiatives like this, the organisation aims to contribute to the country's development by equipping young people with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. The programme's impact is expected to be felt in the lives of the 36 participants and their communities.
Key points
- The programme focused on empowering young people with vocational skills, life skills, confidence, and new pathways to future opportunities.
- The initiative was part of BIGIF's Women and Girls Empowerment Hub (WAGE-H) efforts to empower adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups.
- The programme's life-skills component aimed to equip young people with confidence, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making skills.
