Microsoft, Leap Africa Empower Youths at Social Entrepreneurship Conference

Nigeria and Leap Africa recently provided a platform for youths to assemble and learn leadership and life skills that would help them build up their career in social entrepreneurship.

The one-day Youth Social Entrepreneurship Conference (YSEC) designed to kick-start Microsoft’s YouthSpark programme in Nigeria, brought together 100 youths aged 18 – 35 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lagos.

Explaining the motivation for the programme, Ugochukwu Nwosu, citizenship and PiL Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, said, “Although the prospects for economic growth in Africa are good, increasing youth unemployment caused by lack of skills is limiting vital areas of that growth. 

Mindful of the fact that youth is the cornerstone of economic growth and competitiveness, Microsoft decided to identify the vast youth resource in Nigeria, equip them with the proficiency necessary to lead innovative change and contribute to global youth-led development.”

He added, “We recognise the significant role Nigeria’s non-profit institutions play as connectors, this is why Microsoft is building on Leap Africa’s support to reach the youths.”

The programme featured training sessions which focused on Microsoft tools that start-ups and small businesses can take advantage of to grow, develop and manage costs. 

Highlight was also on the effective use of technology in day to day activities to improve their competitiveness and increase productivity.

Most of the facilitators for the programme were drawn from Leap Africa and they included Oje Ivagba, Ukwori Ejibe and Katja Schiller Nwator from the Tony Elumelu Foundation. 

Support also came from Shina Oyetosho, Developer and Platform Evangelism Lead, Microsoft Nigeria who took the participants on a journey through the various Microsoft tools available for start-ups and how social enterprises can access them.

Ukwori Ejibe introduced the assembly to the concept of using a systematic approach to manage their activities.  The session highlighted the application of strategy formulation in the execution of their projects and subsequent activities.

During the class on project planning and management, Oje Ivagba prepared members with tools needed to identify and capture business opportunities while also exposing them to important aspects of planning and establishing a successful business initiative.

The participants who also benefitted from knowledge sharing through discourse around change projects, commended the continuous efforts of Microsoft at encouraging technology penetration as well as personal growth of Nigerian youths.

Speaking earlier, Oje Ivagba of Leap Africa said, “We are very happy to partner with Microsoft on this innovative project as we believe the youth are the future”.

YouthSpark is Microsoft’s companywide initiative designed to create opportunities to 300 million young people globally over the next three years.