C-STEMP Empowers 100 Youths with Global Plumbing Skills under NYESAF

C-STEMP Empowers 100 Youths with Global Plumbing Skills under NYESAF

ABUJA, Nigeria – The world’s moving fast — and if you’re not learning something new, chances are, you’re falling behind. Jobs are changing, tech is taking over, and the old ways of doing things just aren’t cutting it anymore. That’s where skills come in. Real, practical skills that open doors and keep you in the game.

As Jim Rohn once put it, “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” That quote hits different now, doesn’t it? It’s not about chasing degrees — it’s about picking up skills that actually matter. The kind that help you solve real problems, get hired faster, or even start something on your own.

Because in the end, it’s simple: if you stop learning, you stop growing.

On a bright Tuesday morning at the Public Service Institute in Dutse, Abuja, one hundred young men and women sat shoulder to shoulder, each holding onto a powerful promise – the chance to gain real, marketable skills that could forever alter their future. The occasion was the official flag-off and orientation ceremony of the Nigerian Youth Employment through Skills Acquisition Fund (NYESAF), an initiative of the Federal Government under the IDEAS Project and supported by the World Bank. This wasn’t just another ribbon-cutting event. It was the start of something revolutionary.

For years, Nigeria’s unemployment crisis has continued to deepen, especially among youth. With about 40% of young people either jobless or underemployed, the country finds itself at a crossroads. However, programs like NYESAF, delivered in partnership with C-STEMP Skills Training and Empowerment Partnerships Ltd/Gte, show that the nation is finally shifting from mere policy talk to action.

According to the Director General of C-STEMP, Builder Anthony A. Okwa, the initiative is designed not just to train but to transform. “We’re not just training artisans,” he declared in his welcome address. “We’re empowering futures and transforming communities.” His words were not only inspiring but deeply rooted in strategy.

The training, which spans six months, will equip participants with the technical skills required to become competent plumbers. But it doesn’t end there. These young individuals will also gain digital literacy, health and safety awareness, teamwork, entrepreneurship training, and most importantly, a chance at being certified under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).

The training model follows a blended learning approach – both classroom-based and hands-on industry experience. This isn’t a paint-by-numbers program. It’s practical, it’s modern, and it’s relevant. Participants will engage with master trainers, work on actual job sites, and later, continue their learning online through the E-LIMI platform. It is this blend of traditional and digital learning that sets NYESAF apart from countless short-lived training programs Nigeria has seen in the past.

What also makes this project unique is its focus on post-training outcomes. At the core is employability. C-STEMP has built partnerships with employers, industry leaders, and master craftsmen to ensure that trainees are not just dumped back into the labor market with a piece of paper, but are equipped, mentored, and placed in meaningful work environments.

“This is a complete pathway,” explained Mr. Temitope Akinkunmi, the Training Program Manager from C-STEMP. “From training to assessment, certification, and then to job placement, every phase of the NYESAF initiative has been planned with the end goal of economic empowerment.”

He also elaborated on the recruitment and mobilization process that included grassroots mobilization and online publicity. C-STEMP partnered with the Association of Professional Plumbers of Nigeria (APPN) for a sensitization meeting that created massive awareness. Out of 168 applications received — including some from outside Abuja — 100 were shortlisted through physical screening.

One particularly emotional highlight was the story of Samuel Benson Oche, a candidate from Akure, Ondo State, who traveled down to Abuja for the screening. His dedication drew admiration from all and earned him a special mention at the event. He is now planning to temporarily relocate to Abuja to complete the training.

The program structure consists of three months of classroom-based sessions, including practical demonstrations, followed by a three-month internship. Each trainee will be paired with an assessor to guide them through their NSQ Level 2 certification. At the end of the training, successful participants will receive starter packs and post-training support to help establish their careers.

Dr (Mrs) Anna Madziga, representing the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS Project, reiterated the Federal Government’s investment in developing the skills and capacities of young Nigerians through World Bank support. She emphasized the need for commitment and minimum 80% attendance by all beneficiaries. She also explained that the IDEAS Project operates through four major components that have impacted a wide range of target groups across the skills and technical education landscape over the past four years.

Bldr John Bawa, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Building, FCT Chapter, congratulated the participants for securing a spot in the program. He assured them that successful candidates would be added to a database of certified artisans eligible for job placements within the building and construction industry.

Also present was Bldr. Lawrence Manggei Gabriel, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Building, FCT Chapter, who praised the hands-on structure of the initiative.

Mr. Seth Ogungbemi, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the project, was also in attendance, ensuring the project metrics are tracked for impact and sustainability.

For some of the beneficiaries, the program is nothing short of a second chance. One of them, barely holding back tears during the vote of thanks, said, “Before today, I only knew how to hustle. Now, I know how to build a career.”

The orientation also included an oath of commitment signed by the trainees. It wasn’t just symbolic. It was a reminder that this opportunity comes with responsibility. Participants are expected to uphold the highest standards, show commitment, and become ambassadors for skills excellence.

After the formal ceremony, the trainees were divided into breakout sessions where they interacted with their trainers, asked questions, and began their journey of transformation. Networking continued over light refreshments, and a group photograph captured the moment — a moment that could one day be looked back upon as the beginning of a nationwide shift.

The Director General closed the ceremony by urging all stakeholders to continue to work together to build a competent, certified, and confident artisan workforce. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “Together, we can change the narrative.”

Indeed, the narrative is changing. These 100 young Nigerians are no longer just numbers in the unemployment statistics. They are the face of a new wave of skilled workers ready to transform Nigeria’s built environment.

The passion and high expectations expressed by the beneficiaries underscore the critical need for a structured, quality-driven vocational education in Nigeria.

In a nation that often feels overwhelmed by challenges, initiatives like NYESAF bring clarity, focus, and most importantly — hope. And as long as hope remains, change is not just possible; it is inevitable.

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