Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) in partnership with UNICEF, yesterday, donated startup toolkits to 200 young girls aged 13 to 24, who have been trained under the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) initiative.

Funded by Generation Unlimited, UK aid and UNICEF, the GESP programme aims to bridge the gender gap in ICT and technical education.

The toolkit distribution included: 50 laptop computers each for best performing girls in Web Application Development, 50 laptop computers for those in Mobile Application Development, 50 full hardware toolkits for computer maintenance trainees and 50 toolkits for learners in GSM and mobile phone repairs. 94 girls also received National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) level two certificates.

The programme held at the Yusuf Grillo Hall, Yabatech, marked the culmination of months of intensive hands-on training in four high-demand technical fields including GSM and Mobile Phone Repair, Computer Hardware maintenance, Web Application Development, as well as Mobile Application Development.

In her remarks, the Project Coordinator of the GESP programme, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, explained that the GESP programme, was launched with the vision of empowering 5,250 young women, has already trained over 1,300 girls across three cohorts, and enrolled 2,553 women in its online Learning Management System.

She added that many graduates are already working in tech or serving as mentors to incoming students.

“This is a powerful moment of transition from learning to doing, from aspiration to action,” said Dr. Doherty. “These toolkits are more than just equipment, they represent our trust in the ability of these young girls to lead change in their homes, communities, and the broader tech ecosystem.”

She emphasised that skill without opportunity is only half the journey, saying, “today, we are not just handing over tools, we are handing over the opportunity for young girls to shape the future.”

In his remarks, the Rector of the college, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, stated that the initiative marks the formal transition of the girls from trainees to entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and contributors to Nigeria’s digital and technical economy.

“These young individuals are no longer merely students,” said Dr. Abdul. “What you have received today is more than a toolkit, it is a key to your future.”

Mohammed Okorie, Social Policy Manager, UNICEF, explained that youth empowerment is a vital driver of both economic and social development worldwide, and the need to equip young people with skills is particularly urgent in Nigeria.

He described the GESP programme as a catalytic force in transforming the youth skills development landscape through strategic collaborations between public and private sector actors.

“Innovation and technologies introduced by global and national partners, including Standard Chartered Bank and Unilever, have created new opportunities for marginalised girls and women in Nigeria to acquire in-demand skills,” he said.

Okorie also emphasised Yabatech  as a preferred partner in advancing technical education in Nigeria, adding that the institution has enabled thousands of young women to gain market-relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.