Oando Foundation Awards ₦20m To 10 Young Innovators, Rollout New Cohort of the Green Youth Upskilling Programme

Oando Foundation has awarded ₦20 million in grants to 10 outstanding young innovators following the successful completion of the pilot cohort of its Green Youth Upskilling Programme (GYUP).

The announcement was made at a close-out ceremony in Lagos, where the Foundation also unveiled a new cohort that will train 50 additional young Nigerians in renewable energy, waste management, and green enterprise development.

Launched in July 2025, GYUP is a workforce development initiative designed to build technical and entrepreneurial capacity in renewable energy, waste management, and green enterprise development.

The 9-month pilot cohort equipped young Nigerians with hands-on technical expertise, business acumen, and climate-focused competencies.

Through a combination of intensive training, mentorship, and enterprise development support, participants developed viable, impact-driven business models addressing critical gaps in Nigeria’s circular economy.

The programme effectively bridged skills development with entrepreneurship, creating a pipeline of climate-conscious innovators and job creators.

At the close-out ceremony, the Foundation recognised the top 10 beneficiaries from Cohort I, whose performance and innovation distinguished them as leading Green Youth Champions: Temitope Fakorede, Barnabas Iorsue, Boluwatife Amodu, Toluwalase Abiona, Abdulmuiz Edun, Gbayere Onorena, Yunus Sodiq, Janet Ogechi Ohakwe, Aishat Ayyub, and Johnpaul Nwaike.

Collectively, the beneficiaries received grant funding totaling ₦20 million to accelerate the growth of their ventures, positioning them as catalysts for job creation and environmental sustainability within their communities.

Speaking at the event, Tonia Uduimoh, Head of Oando Foundation, reflected on the programme’s focus on youth empowerment through skills development and practical education.

She said: ‘As an organisation, the Oando Foundation has focused on education since its inception in 2011. While education remains our core, we also recognise that it extends beyond foundational learning and formal academics.

“In collaboration with NCIC, we developed the Green Youth Upskilling Programme. Through GYUP, we provide practical, real-world green skills that build on participants’ existing knowledge and experience, enabling them to become more empowered and self-reliant individuals, actively contributing to Nigeria’s green economy. We are grateful for the opportunity to implement initiatives such as this, as we expand our focus beyond younger children to also support the youth, who are a critical part of Nigeria’s population.’

Also speaking, Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, said: “Today, I speak on behalf of every partner in this room when I say we are proud of every participant in the GYUP initiative and what they have achieved over the past nine months. We are grateful to Oando Foundation and NCIC for the intention and preparation that made this possible. GYUP is proof that when the private sector, civil society, and development organizations come together with a shared purpose, we can create opportunities that truly transform lives. Nigeria’s growing economy needs young people like those we have in this room today— skilled, motivated, and ready to lead. Programmes like GYUP are exactly what is needed to build the future we want.”

The Green Youth Upskilling Programme aligns with Nigeria’s National Youth Policy and the recently revised National Employment Policy, both of which prioritize skills development, green jobs, and youth-led climate solutions.

By equipping young Nigerians with technical and entrepreneurial expertise, GYUP supports the Federal Government’s broader goals of building a resilient, climate-smart workforce and fostering economic inclusion.

Toluwalase Abiona, a beneficiary from Cohort I (Waste Management & Recycling track) and a recipient of the ₦2,000,000 award grant, commended the Oando Foundation for its commitment to youth empowerment and skills development.

She said: “The program was truly eye-opening and highly impactful. It highlighted the importance of equipping young people with practical technical skills to advance their careers, particularly within the green economy. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and the support provided. This experience has strengthened my confidence and commitment to building a career in the green economy.”

In her remarks, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, said: “Climate action is no longer a future conversation. It is happening now, and it needs your ideas, your energy, and your courage. Do not underestimate the value of what you have learned here. Whether you go on to build businesses, join organisations, or lead initiatives, you are now part of a movement shaping a more sustainable future. As a government, we remain committed to creating an enabling environment where green skills, innovation, and enterprise can thrive, and we will continue to support programmes like the GYUP by Oando Foundation.”

The ceremony brought together key stakeholders across the sustainability and private sectors, including senior government officials, ecosystem partners, and potential investors.

Notable attendees included Mobolaji Ogunlende, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development; Oreoluwa Finih, Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals to the Governor of Lagos State; and Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), further strengthening the network of support available to participants as they move into the next stage of their journey.

With the successful completion of Cohort I and the rollout of Cohort II, GYUP continues to demonstrate a scalable model for youth empowerment, climate action, and enterprise development.

By providing hands-on skills training, grant support, and access to a vibrant ecosystem, Oando Foundation is equipping young Nigerians to become innovators and entrepreneurs in the green economy, turning knowledge into tangible opportunities for themselves and their communities.