Junior Achievement Nigeria has introduced a new initiative focused on teachers to strengthen entrepreneurship education in schools across the country. The initiative, called SET4LYF, which stands for School-to-Work Educational Transitions for Long-Term Youth Fulfilment, was unveiled during a virtual media parley held on Tuesday.
The Country Director for SET4LYF, Mr. Olaolu Akogun, explained that the programme aims to bridge the gap between education and employment while empowering educators and reaching vulnerable groups. He said the initiative was specifically designed to equip Nigerian secondary school girls, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities with essential skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed for a successful transition to work, entrepreneurship, or higher education.
Akogun emphasised the importance of collaboration and institutional support to achieve the goals of the programme. “We need to bring more people on board—stakeholders, government agencies, and collaborate on development partners. We have started an advocacy for this. We want to be inclusive, bridging the gap with this programme. Inclusion is very important to us,” he said.
The Country Director noted that the national convening of the programme focuses heavily on teachers, educators, and key stakeholders. According to him, empowering teachers as catalysts for entrepreneurship education is essential for equipping them with the mindset needed to transform how the next generation thinks, creates, and leads in a fast-changing economy.
Akogun explained that the initiative has a broad national reach, targeting 31 states across Nigeria. He also noted a strong commitment to equity, adding that “5% of girls with disabilities and 10% of girls who are internally displaced” will be intentionally included to ensure equal access to entrepreneurial learning opportunities.
He further highlighted the importance of government involvement to sustain the initiative. “For anything to thrive, it needs the right environment. We need the support of the government in this,” Akogun stated.
The National Convening will bring together educators, school leaders, government representatives, private sector partners, and NGOs to develop strategies that prepare students for innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance in Nigeria’s evolving economy.
