By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Junior Achievement Nigeria, JAN, has announced significant milestones from the first year of its School-to-Work Educational Transitions for Long-Term Youth Fulfilment, SET4LYF, programme, revealing that more than 58,000 girls across Nigeria have been equipped with entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy and problem-solving skills.

The programme, which focuses on preparing young girls for future economic participation, was implemented nationwide through experiential learning, entrepreneurship education, mentorship and school-based innovation activities.

According to JAN, the initiative also prioritized inclusion by directly engaging 407 girls living with disabilities and 235 girls from displaced backgrounds, ensuring that vulnerable groups were not left behind in the drive for economic empowerment.

Findings from the programme’s first year indicated overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers and school administrators, with the Company Program component emerging as one of the most impactful aspects of the initiative.

Through the programme, students moved beyond classroom learning to practical business development experiences.
Participants developed products, conducted market research, negotiated with vendors, raised capital through shareholder models and refined business ideas based on customer feedback and mentorship.

Speaking on the impact of the programme, SET4LYF Specialist for Junior Achievement Nigeria, Mndepawe Kwaghe Jonah, said the initiative had demonstrated the importance of collaboration in preparing young people for successful transitions from school to the workplace.

“Year 1 of the SET4LYF Programme has shown the power of collaboration in preparing young people for successful school-to-work transitions. Through our partnerships with government, schools, communities and the private sector, we have equipped students and teachers with critical skills in entrepreneurship, career readiness and future-focused learning,” Jonah said.
He added that JAN remained committed to expanding opportunities for more young people, particularly those in underserved communities, to access the skills and support needed to thrive in the future workforce.

Teachers involved in the programme reported noticeable improvements in students’ confidence, communication abilities, teamwork, creativity and critical thinking skills.

One mentor teacher noted that participants demonstrated exceptional commitment in developing innovative business solutions and perfecting presentations, while others praised the students’ ability to manage production costs, design marketing strategies and assume leadership responsibilities independently.
The programme also strengthened financial literacy among participants by exposing them to practical lessons in budgeting, profit management, sustainability planning and investor engagement.

Mentorship emerged as a critical factor in the programme’s success, with many students describing the direct guidance and support received from mentors as instrumental in helping them understand key concepts, build confidence and improve their business ideas.
School leaders commended the initiative for complementing academic learning with leadership development, innovation and self-reliance, noting that it created safe and supportive environments where girls could express ideas, take initiative and collaborate effectively.
JAN stated that the first-year outcomes underscore the value of experiential entrepreneurship education in preparing young girls for future employment and economic participation.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening implementation, improving accessibility and expanding the programme’s reach as SET4LYF progresses into its next phase.
Junior Achievement Nigeria is part of the global network of the Junior Achievement Worldwide, one of the world’s largest non-profit organisations dedicated to empowering young people through financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship and digital literacy programmes in more than 100 countries.