Oyo govt shortlists Skill Up the Teenagers Initiative for collaboration

Oyo govt shortlists Skill Up the Teenagers Initiative for collaboration

Khalid ABRAHAM

The Skill Up the Teenagers (SUT) Initiative has been recognized at the pre‑summit on out‑of‑school children convened by the Oyo state government through the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, in collaboration with the Malala Fund Champion for Education.

The pre‑summit was held Thursday at Golden Tulip Hotel, Jericho, Ibadan.

According to a statement by the organisation the call for proposals invited stakeholders and NGOs to present practical solutions to reduce the number of out‑of‑school teenagers and create pathways back to education.

In response, the SUT Initiative submitted a position paper emphasizing skill acquisition, vocational training, and digital literacy as strategic tools for empowerment and reintegration.

Originally scheduled to close on August 10, the deadline was extended to August 15. The SUT team thus seized the opportunity to commence work on August 14 and submitted within the extended window. Out of 20 submissions, the Initiative’s paper was shortlisted among the final 11 reviewed at the pre‑summit.

Representing the team in Ibadan, the SUT spokesperson stated: “Our recognition among the final 11 papers is a strong affirmation of the relevance of our approach. It gives us hope and strengthens our resolve to support teenagers with skills, opportunities, and pathways back to education.”

Launched in 2023, the Skill Up the Teenagers Initiative delivers free training in vocational skills and digital literacy to both in‑school and out‑of‑school teenagers, equipping them for self‑reliance and brighter futures.

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“This milestone underscores our growing impact and its alignment with government and global efforts to secure quality education for all,” it was stated.

About Skill Up the Teenagers (SUT) Initiative

The SUT Initiative is a youth‑focused program that trains secondary school students (ages 13–19) across Oyo state in practical, market‑relevant skills and digital literacy at no cost to students, parents, or schools.