A pathway to a better future through skills acquisition
UNICEF's Initiative in Northern Nigeria Sparks Hope Through Skills Training for Children
The armed conflict in northern Nigeria is claiming many victims, including children. These young people are often kidnapped at an early age and deprived of their childhood. They suffer many abuses and are deprived of their fundamental right to education. Many are used as armed combatants. After years of captivity, some managed to escape while the government army rescued others.
In support of the Adamawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, UNICEF is helping these young people rebuild their lives.
Skills acquisition is among the various community-based reintegration programmes offered by UNICEF to help these young people believe in life again. The goal is to help them become financially independent.
The programme covers various activities, from hairdressing and make-up to carpentry, welding, car mechanics, and poultry farming. In 2022, 70 children (43 boys and 27 girls) were trained. Upon graduation, they were provided with start-up kits.
Multi-faceted training to restore hope.
At this carpentry workshop located in Mubi North, approximately ten young boys enrol each year for a 6- to 12-month training course. These boys have all experienced various forms of abuse and are slowly but steadily rebuilding their lives. Most of them have surpassed school age, and this chance to acquire a manual trade skill serves as a vital lifeline.
" I'm an orphan living with a foster family. I can’t depend on them forever. My aspiration is to complete this training and be able to work and earn a living to sustain myself”,
HAIRDRESSING AND MAKE-UP
At this hairdressing salon in Mubi North, five girls registered with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (MWASD) and supported by UNICEF are learning the trade. Girls constitute a significant portion of the young victims in the region. During their years in captivity, many were forced into marriage. Some have children from these marriages, which is a trauma they live with every day. Most are now single mothers. Reunited with their families or placed in foster care, the economic difficulties are real, especially for those with children. In support of the MWASD, UNICEF is helping these young women learn skills that will provide them with a livelihood. They receive support from the project to enrol in nearby hair salons for six months of training. At the end of their training, they receive a complete hair salon kit to start their business.
"I'm thrilled to be learning a trade. It will enable me to provide for my son, and I dream of a bright future for him,"
AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC
These young adolescents are registered with a local craftsman as a Master Trainer with the MWASD. In this garage in Mubi, Adamawa, several registered youngsters are busy working with their Master Trainer. They will soon be accomplished mechanics with the tools to rebuild their future and forget that life robbed them of their childhood.
"I've loved cars since I was a kid. When the social worker asked me to choose a profession, I immediately chose car mechanics."
WELDING
The conflict has had a significant impact on many young people in the southern part of Mubi, where this welding workshop is located.
Many of the boys were used as child soldiers and are trying to forget this sad chapter in their lives. Welding keeps them busy, and this training guarantees them a better future.
Some of them are of school age. They go to school in the morning and attend the workshop in the evening. They hope to start work soon to save money and pay for their studies.
The challenge of sustainability
This ambitious programme has its challenges, particularly with sustainability. Many young people need money to rent premises, which is not easily affordable, and many run their businesses at home, which limits their options. Some combine their resources to rent premises. Others work for their master for a few months before starting their own business.
"I had no money to start my own business. When my master asked me to work for him at the end of my training, I didn't hesitate. The salary was modest, and I had to save for two years to start my own business,"
