Empowerment

Inclusive Employment in Nigeria Boosted by Jobberman, Mastercard Deal

Published

1 year ago

July 16, 2025

Inclusive employment in Nigeria expands as Jobberman and Mastercard train 2.4 million youth and place 600,000 in jobs, targeting marginalised communities

Efforts to promote inclusive employment in Nigeria have gained momentum through a major collaboration between Jobberman Nigeria and the Mastercard Foundation.

Also read: Nigeria, China Partner to Drive Youth Empowerment via AI, Digital Skills

Since 2020, the initiative has trained more than 2.4 million young Nigerians and helped over 600,000 secure work placements.

This programme is part of the Young Africa Works strategy by The African Talent Company, Jobberman’s parent organisation.

Its core goal is to link Nigerian youth, especially those in underserved and marginalised communities, with stable and dignified work opportunities.

Using community-focused outreach and digital tools that function well in low-bandwidth settings, the programme has provided essential skills and access for jobseekers aged 18 to 35.

A significant part of its design is ensuring that technology lowers, rather than reinforces, employment barriers.

As part of its expansion efforts, Jobberman recently hosted the Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts Roundtable in Abuja.

The event brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, tech firms, and the private sector to discuss ways of dismantling barriers that exclude marginalised groups from the workforce.

Groups identified include women in underserved areas, people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.

The roundtable also saw the launch of a report titled Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts, which outlines the obstacles these groups face.

One key finding showed that 72 per cent of employers in Nigeria currently make no deliberate efforts to hire inclusively.

Despite that, there are encouraging trends, as 55 per cent of people with disabilities and 44 per cent of displaced women interviewed had gained employment, largely through creative industries and small-scale agriculture.

The organisers stressed the importance of designing work systems that do not simply acknowledge marginalised people but place them at the centre of future policy and action.

The inclusive employment in Nigeria initiative is now being extended across Africa through The African Talent Company’s operations in Kenya and Uganda.

In Kampala, BrighterMonday Uganda recently hosted a career event offering CV reviews and digital coaching to help young people take control of their future.

The programme’s learnings and policy recommendations will be fed into the Young Africa Works agenda to support more inclusive hiring practices and platform designs across the continent.

Also read: Ogun Empowers Artisans Through Soft Loans, Leadership Training

As Africa’s young population continues to grow, the organisers say now is the time to act. The future of employment must be inclusive, with investments in skills and access that allow every young African to earn a dignified living.

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State development

Bauchi Urges Girls to Pursue Education and Skilled Jobs

Published

3 weeks ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi girls’ education campaign urges students to complete school, learn vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men

Girls in Bauchi State have been encouraged to complete their education, acquire vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men as part of efforts to promote financial independence and reduce gender inequality.

Also read: Rest of World to Shut Down as Search for New Home Continues

The call was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at an event in Bauchi to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event was organised under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, and Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha Idris, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, said the annual observance aimed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and promote their well-being.

He said the programme was designed to encourage girls to explore a wider range of professions and address gender disparities in the workplace.

Idris urged students to use their school holidays to learn practical skills, including shoemaking and soap production, which could help them earn an income and improve their economic prospects.

“Girls should not feel ashamed of learning a trade or engaging in legitimate businesses. These skills can provide them with sources of income, promote financial independence and reduce their reliance on others,” he said.

Monica Tanko, Executive Director of Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, urged the girls to remain committed to their education and avoid leaving school before completing their studies.

She also encouraged them to develop practical skills alongside their formal education, saying the combination could help prepare them for future challenges and employment opportunities.

Tanko stressed the importance of self-reliance while encouraging the students to maintain their personal dignity as they pursued their ambitions.

Timothy Ibrahim, an engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience, encouraged the students to consider engineering and other professions in which women have traditionally been underrepresented.

He urged them not to allow gender stereotypes to discourage them from pursuing their interests, adding that girls could excel when they had access to opportunities, encouragement and support.

His message reinforced the event’s call for girls to look beyond occupations traditionally associated with women and explore careers across technical and professional fields.

The event was attended by female students from several schools in Bauchi metropolis, including Rafin Zurfi, Bakaro, Unguwar Doya, Gudun Sayawa and the Federal Government Girls’ College.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights and draw attention to challenges affecting their development.

The Bauchi event used the occasion to highlight the importance of education, vocational training and access to a wider range of career opportunities.

The organisers’ message was that empowering girls requires more than keeping them in school.

Also read: Rest of World to Shut Down as Search for New Home Continues

Access to practical skills, supportive role models and opportunities to enter different professions can also help young women build greater economic independence and participate more fully in their communities.