The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), in collaboration with the Network for Youth Enlightenment and Development (N-YED), has rolled out a new digital skills programme targeting out-of-school youth in Kano, with the aim of boosting their access to technology and improving economic prospects.
The initiative, tagged Youth Out-of-School Creativity Filter Programme, kicked off on Saturday with the first batch of trainees in Medile community, where 20 young people will undergo six weeks of basic digital literacy.
Programme Coordinator, Ibrahim Nuhu, said the intervention marks the first structured attempt in Kano to deliberately locate out-of-school youth within their communities and equip them with digital skills.
According to him, “We go into communities to identify young people who never had the chance to attend school, map them, and provide digital training that can position them for self-reliance.”
He added that the programme seeks to bridge “long-standing digital gaps” that have denied many young people opportunities in the fast-changing digital space.
“Out-of-school youth have been left behind for years,” he said. “This programme gives them access to technology and the skills they need to improve their lives.”
Nuhu explained that the project targets youth aged 18 to 35 who did not attend primary or secondary school, noting that community ownership is a core part of the model.
“We want communities to take ownership of the project. They help provide venues, identify the beneficiaries, and support logistics, while we focus on delivering the digital skills. This strengthens sustainability and ensures the programme outlives external support,” he said.
Participants are also expected to receive follow-up mentorship after the initial six-week training to help develop creativity and enhance their ability to contribute to local development.
Speaking at the launch, N-YED Executive Director, Abdulsalam Haruna Suleiman, said the Medile training is a pilot phase expected to expand to other local government areas across the state.
He said the two organisations aim to train at least 600 youth within one year after the pilot and support them to connect with relevant agencies and job opportunities.
“We brought together key ministries and stakeholders to make this programme a reality,” Suleiman said, stressing that beneficiaries must show full commitment to the training.
He appealed to government authorities to partner with the organisations to scale the initiative across Kano.
“We need government support to reach our targets and achieve the broader objectives of empowering out-of-school youth,” he added.
