By Ebunoluwa Sessou

In a bid to bridge skill gaps in Africa, SeamlessforGood, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of SeamlessHR, Africa’s leading HR and payroll technology provider, has officially launched the Codeable Mentorship Programme.

The initiative is dedicated to equip marginalized communities including inmates and special persons in the society, with guidance and self-improvement skills for the digital age, the event was held in Lagos
With industry experts and community leaders who gathered to celebrate the impactful new chapter in SeamlessHR’s commitment to social responsibility, CTO and Co-Founder SeamlessHR, Deji Lana disclosed that the 6-month Codeable Mentorship Programme will pair 30 seasoned industry mentors with 76 mentees from underserved communities, providing tailored guidance to foster in-demand technical skills, professional growth, and employability in a competitive job market.

“The Codeable Mentorship Programme transcends mere technical training; it serves as a vital pathway to economic participation and social inclusion for individuals historically sidelined.

“By delivering targeted career development, technical training, and personal branding support, we empower participants, including those with disabilities and individuals recently released from incarceration, to flourish in today’s digital economy. This mentorship initiative aims to cultivate resilient individuals poised for sustainable, meaningful employment and personal growth.”

In her contribution, Programme Director, Codeable, Adetoun Akinsunmi said, “The launch event also marked the culmination of the third cohort of the Codeable Training Programme, organized in collaboration with the Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) and Special Olympics.

“This partnership has expanded Codeable’s outreach to encompass individuals with disabilities and those who have been incarcerated, providing vital skills to some of the most underserved populations.

“We believe that technology is not just a tool, but a gateway to full participation in society and the economy.

“Through Codeable, we’re bridging critical gaps in tech education while fostering a culture of genuine inclusion. Our unwavering mission is to empower all young people, regardless of their background, with the digital skills essential for success in today’s interconnected world.

“We have structured mentorship that has been paired with students. They will have group mentorship, one-on-one, weekly check-ins for the next six months and we are assured that at the end of the programme, they would be better professionals and would have found job placements.

One of our challenges is partnership with organizations. Some of the organizations are not forthcoming because it is not everybody that is passionate about our vision and mission.

We have taught our students coding, product management, and product design.

Also at the event were Joke Aladesanmi, Executive Director, CELSIR and Naomi Ejobe, National Director, Special Olympics who commended Codeable’s commitment to building an inclusive digital economy.

Aladesanmi said, one of the reasons her organization is patterning with SeamlessHR is the fact that there is a huge rehabilitation gap in the Nigerian justice system. While the system arrests and puts them in prison, there is no adequate support when it comes to what happens to them in prison and when they are out of prison.

“This is the first time; we will have an organization like SeamlessHR considering the need to empower justice-impaired persons. These people are considered the most marginalized and underserved community because, from society, they experience stigmatization and rejection.

“Statistics show that over 95 percent of incarcerated persons come to the society. The question is, how prepared are they or how will they adjust when they come to the society. Regardless of the intervention, there is still a high rate of people going back to prison.

“Empowering justice impacted persons would help them overcome some of the major challenges of post incarceration, re-entry and help them to be better people who can contribute to the society productively.

“To everyone who is at the constant stage of hopelessness, I would advise that you look out for opportunities and take advantage of them. Be open to opportunities and leverage on opportunities and become the best of yourself”, she advised.

Highlight of the event was certificates of achievement were awarded to 26 graduates, recognizing their hard work and dedication.