The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has launched the Youth Leadership Development Program (YOU-LEAD) to provide young Nigerians with leadership skills, critical thinking abilities, and a platform for social innovation.
The program began with an orientation ceremony at CITAD’s Kano office today, aiming to encourage youth to engage actively with opportunities and explore leadership roles.
Speaking to attendees, Isah Garba, Senior Program Officer at CITAD and representative of Executive Director Y.Z. Yau, highlighted the need for structured youth leadership programs.
“Often, youth are told they lack leadership skills but are rarely given the space to demonstrate them. Youth need to seize opportunities and step into leadership,” Garba stated.
He noted that many youth development programs are short-term and donor-driven. YOU-LEAD, he said, focuses on sustainability through mentorship and hands-on projects that support long-term development.
The YOU-LEAD initiative seeks to address gaps and youth exclusion in political, economic, and social spheres by building leadership skills and offering immersive experiences.
Garba explained that YOU-LEAD builds on CITAD’s “Inspiring Leadership Reflection Interactive Series (ILERIS),” which mentors youth through stories and insights from experienced leaders.
“This six-month mentorship includes three months of seminars and workshops, followed by internships across various sectors,” Garba outlined.
He added that participants will receive training in public speaking, report writing, and article drafting to support self-sufficiency and prepare them for career opportunities.
The pilot project attracted over 250 applicants, but only 15 were selected due to limited resources. “We’ll provide monthly transport support to help them attend sessions,” Garba noted, adding that the program seeks to prepare participants for employment or entrepreneurship, turning them from job seekers to job creators.
Isah Garba, emphasized that YOU-LEAD aims to develop youth as social entrepreneurs and leaders ready to overcome barriers in the leadership landscape.
He explained, is a six-month commitment requiring five-day-a-week attendance. “Our goal is to equip participants to transform business and social enterprise ideas into viable entities,” he said.
