Founder, Olumide Osunsina Foundation, Olumide Osunsina, has urged young Nigerians to see certificates not just as academic documents, but as tools to build careers and uplift their communities.
Osunsina gave the charge in Ibadan during the second graduation ceremony of the Foundation’s Youth Skills Training Programme, held in Ibadan.
The latest edition of the six-month training produced 42 graduates, up from 18 during its maiden edition in 2022.
The programme offers skills training in CCTV/Solar installation, fashion design, photography, catering, and event management.
Addressing the graduands, Osunsina said, “Your certificates are not just symbols of completion, they are instruments of change. Use them to build careers, inspire others, and uplift your communities. Whether you pursue jobs, run your businesses, or continue your education, your future is bright.”
He described the graduands as “resilient and dedicated,” adding that their journey over the past six months had prepared them to make meaningful contributions to society.
“At OOF, our mission is simple but powerful: to give underserved youths access to education, technical, and vocational training that unlocks their full potential. Our vision is to set the benchmark for youth empowerment in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
Osunsina, whose foundation also sponsors orphans and vulnerable children, disclosed that plans were underway to expand the training programme to include plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry, creating employment pipelines through his construction firm, Megamound Investment Limited.
He commended the foundation’s training partners for their commitment to youth empowerment.
“Your support has been instrumental in shaping today’s success,” he added.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Megamound Investment Limited, Mrs Desiree Osunsina, said the Foundation’s goal was simply to give back to society.
“The training is completely free. We discovered that many Nigerians finish school but can’t find jobs. Our idea is to empower them with skills, so they can make money, start businesses, and even train others,” she said.
Mrs Osunsina explained that depending on the skill, some participants undergo longer training, but the minimum duration is six months.
“At the end of the training, we pay the trainers and also provide start-up equipment free of charge to the trainees,” she added.
She said awareness about the programme had grown significantly through digital channels.
“For this batch, over 1,000 people applied, but we could only admit 45. We even had to screen applicants,” she said.
Mrs Osunsina also clarified that the Foundation is fully self-funded.
“We’re not receiving external funding. We fund the Foundation directly from our business proceeds. A percentage of our profits goes into the Foundation, and that’s how we sustain it,” she said.
Programme Manager of the Foundation, Mr Ayodeji Oriyomi, said the training followed a strict curriculum with continuous monitoring and evaluation to track progress.
“All trainings are guided by OOF’s assessment framework and monitored to ensure results,” he said.
