More than 30 senior secondary school students of Government College Ibadan (GCI) have participated in a project management training designed to equip them with practical knowledge and skills needed to successfully manage projects. The training was organised by Mr Oluwafemi Osoba, an old student of the school, to introduce the students to the basic principles and processes of project management. This initiative aims to develop the students' understanding of projects and reduce the rate of project failures in Nigeria.
According to Osoba, Nigeria has numerous projects, but many fail due to inadequate planning, poor execution, and ineffective management of resources. He explained that project management is growing and has been around for a while, but it is essential for the country to realise the importance of managing projects effectively. Osoba has been involved in project management training for secondary school students since 2022 and has been practising project management for over 20 years.
The training programme exposed the students to the meaning and types of projects, how to set SMART goals, the project management triangle, project outcomes, project roles, and the different stages of the project life cycle. Osoba urged the students to apply the knowledge gained from the programme to their academic and personal projects, particularly when they get to university. He also disclosed that his decision to organise the training at GCI was a way of giving back to his alma mater, 40 years after graduating from the school.
The acting Head of Administrator of GCIOBA, Opeyemi Okeleke, described the programme as an opportunity for the students to gain practical knowledge that could be applied beyond the classroom. The students also benefited from the training, with an SS2 student, Muraina Abdulrahman, saying that the training helped him understand that a project was not necessarily an everyday activity but a task that required proper management and had a defined timeframe.
Osoba's project management training for secondary school students aims to equip them with the skills needed to manage projects successfully. He believes that by engaging young children and letting them appreciate projects, they can understand the importance of succeeding rather than wasting resources, time, and effort on projects that eventually fail. This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the students' academic and personal projects.
The project management training programme is part of Osoba's efforts to give back to his alma mater and contribute to the development of the students. The programme also highlights the importance of project management in Nigeria, where many projects fail due to inadequate planning and poor execution. By equipping students with practical knowledge and skills, Osoba hopes to reduce the rate of project failures in the country.
The training programme has been well-received by the students and stakeholders, who see it as an opportunity for the students to gain practical knowledge and skills that can be applied beyond the classroom. With over 20 years of experience in project management, Osoba is well-equipped to provide guidance and training to the students. His initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the students and the country as a whole.
Key points
- Osoba has been involved in project management training for secondary school students since 2022.
- The training programme exposed the students to the basic principles and processes of project management.
- Osoba has been practising project management for over 20 years.
