No fewer than 202 youths from military barracks have been equipped with market-relevant skills in ICT and fashion design under the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Youth Empowerment Project, aimed at fostering confidence, dignity, and economic self-reliance.
Mrs. Safiyyah Shaibu, President of NAOWA, made the disclosure in Abuja during the combined graduation ceremony of Batch 3 ICT and Batch 2 Fashion Design trainees.
She described the programme as a strategic investment in the future, emphasizing that equipping youths with practical skills positively impacts families, communities, and national development.
“This project goes beyond skills acquisition. It is about giving our youths the tools to chart their own course and become productive members of society,” she said.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Mrs. Alero Azazi Event Centre, where 202 youths completed the programme focused on ICT and fashion design.
Mrs. Shaibu also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for his unwavering support of NAOWA initiatives, which she said strengthened the association’s capacity to deliver sustainable empowerment programmes.
She assured that NAOWA would continue to provide mentorship and guidance to beneficiaries, helping them translate their newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Representing the COAS, the Chief of Administration (Army), Maj.-Gen. Isa Abdullahi, commended NAOWA for complementing the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic efforts in youth development and social stability.
He noted that skills acquisition remains a key strategy for reducing unemployment and promoting peace.
Col. Comfort Adamu, Rector of the NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology (NIMTA), Abuja, described the graduation as a fulfillment of dreams and the unlocking of hidden potentials among the trainees.
She explained that the graduates had undergone weeks of intensive training that transformed curiosity into competence.
The institute equipped them with practical, income-generating skills in fashion design, tailoring, and computer studies, preparing them to thrive in today’s technology-driven economy.
The training, which began on September 22, 2025, produced 202 graduates—32 in fashion design and tailoring and 170 in ICT, covering courses such as IT Essentials, Cybersecurity, Web Design, and Python.
All beneficiaries were children of serving and retired non-commissioned officers. Outstanding trainees will receive awards and participate in a four-week internship to further strengthen their skills and employability.
Several graduates spoke about the programme’s impact. Ibrahim Garba described the training as highly empowering, helping him develop self-awareness, confidence, and practical life skills.
“The programme has opened my eyes to new opportunities for self-reliance, and I can now apply what I have learned to support myself and my family,” he said.
Gabriel Agboola highlighted the value of the six-week ICT programme, which provided skills in cybersecurity, web design, Internet of Things (IoT), and programming.
He praised the facilitators for ensuring clear understanding before moving on to new topics, making the learning process effective and engaging.
Agboola expressed confidence in applying his knowledge, protecting himself and others online, and sharing these skills with peers within the barracks and their communities, thereby multiplying the impact of the training.
