The International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry has launched a mentorship initiative, “We must catch them young,” aimed at grooming secondary school students into future entrepreneurs.
The programme, unveiled in Abuja, is designed to expose students to entrepreneurial thinking early, equipping them with practical skills, mentorship, and guidance needed to transform their passions into viable careers.
President of the federation, Amb. Dr. Cynthia Ejiroghene Edudje, said the initiative was conceived in response to shrinking job opportunities and the urgent need to prepare young people for self-reliance.
“This is our love for entrepreneurship,” she said. “The labour market is big, but work opportunities are small. With this initiative, we are inculcating in young people the ability to become entrepreneurs.”
She explained that the focus on secondary school students was deliberate, stressing that early exposure plays a critical role in shaping mindset and ambition. According to her, introducing entrepreneurship at a young age helps students recognise that their talents and interests can be developed into sustainable sources of income.
“When you instil that joy and passion in a child early, you show them that what they love can become a business. That is how you raise future entrepreneurs,” Edudje stated.
The mentorship initiative has already been implemented in 11 schools, with organisers reporting strong acceptance among students and educators. Edudje noted that the programme is structured as a continuous engagement rather than a one-off outreach.
“Mentorship is an integral part of learning. Children look up to role models. When you guide them to believe they can start something now, they begin to see possibilities,” she added.
The initiative features mentorship sessions, career guidance, and the distribution of educational materials, all aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Participants are also connected with experienced professionals who provide insight into business development and innovation.
Edudje emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing unemployment, describing it as a shared responsibility.
“When there are no jobs, people may resort to negative activities. But if we build entrepreneurial capacity, we can create jobs and reduce unemployment in our country,” she said.
Officials of Government Science Technical College, Area 3, Abuja, where the programme was launched, commended the effort, noting its impact on students’ outlook towards career development.
Vice Principal of the college, Mrs. Ilya Esther, said the initiative had helped students better understand how to align their passions with their academic pursuits.
“This programme helps students align their passion with their academics. From their responses, you can see they understand and are ready to develop their interests alongside their careers,” she said.
An IWFCI member, Sonia Abu, also encouraged students to maximise the opportunity provided by the mentorship drive.
“You are fortunate to receive this message early. Your passion can become your career. Don’t think little of it, build on it and make a livelihood from it,” she advised.
