By Kemi Akintokun
The Founder of Path to Possibilities, a United Kingdom-registered charity organisation, Mrs. Titilolami Bello, has called on governments at all levels and private sector stakeholders to significantly increase investment in education and vocational skills development as a sustainable strategy for tackling youth unemployment and reducing the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Bello made the appeal during the 10th anniversary celebration of the organisation and the graduation ceremony of the pioneer beneficiaries of its tuition-free tailoring programme held at the charity’s Community Resource Centre in Ikota, Ajah, Lagos.
She lamented that Nigeria continues to rank among countries with the highest number of out-of-school children globally, stressing that expanding access to vocational education would provide thousands of young people with practical skills and alternative pathways to productive livelihoods.
“We need to diversify education through vocational training and practical skills acquisition to engage more out-of-school children. Governments at all levels must commit greater resources to education and skills development if we are to address unemployment and build a more productive society,” Bello said.
She explained that although Path to Possibilities was established in 2009, its Community Resource Centre, launched in 2016, was created to bridge educational gaps by providing underserved children and young people with free access to books, computer education, internet services and vocational training.
According to her, the centre operates a functional library and computer laboratory equipped with free internet access, where full-time instructors provide digital literacy and computer skills training to children and youths.
She noted that many schools within the community lack functional computer laboratories and therefore depend on the centre to expose their pupils to practical computer education through scheduled learning visits.
Beyond education, Bello said the facility also serves as a safe and supportive environment where vulnerable girls can access sanitary products and other essential welfare services without discrimination.
She added that the organisation regularly organises career development programmes, including workshops on curriculum vitae writing, interview preparation and workplace readiness, to enhance the employability of young people.
Highlighting another milestone, Bello disclosed that the organisation introduced its tailoring programme in 2025 to equip out-of-school youths and secondary school graduates with practical entrepreneurial skills capable of improving their economic prospects.
She expressed delight that the first batch of five trainees had successfully completed the 12-month tuition-free programme.
“As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, we are proud to graduate our first set of tailoring students. This represents another step in our commitment to empowering young Nigerians with skills that can transform their lives,” she said.
To support the graduates in becoming self-reliant, the organisation presented each of them with a sewing machine and a certificate of completion.
Bello, however, identified inadequate electricity supply as one of the organisation’s biggest operational challenges, revealing that plans were underway to install a solar power system to ensure uninterrupted learning activities while reducing operational costs.
She disclosed that over the years, thousands of children and youths have benefited from the organisation’s interventions in computer literacy, digital arts, vocational education and the distribution of sanitary products through partnerships with donors and charitable organisations.
She commended the organisation’s partners for their unwavering support through donations, training programmes and other interventions that have expanded the centre’s impact on the community.
The charity founder also appealed to established fashion designers to provide apprenticeship placements for graduates of the tailoring programme, enabling them to gain industry experience and build sustainable careers.
According to her, addressing Nigeria’s educational deficit and rising youth unemployment requires stronger collaboration between government, development partners and the private sector to develop the country’s human capital.
Also speaking, a Trustee and Director of the organisation, Ms. Funmilola Akanmu, said Path to Possibilities was founded with the vision of creating educational opportunities for underprivileged children who would otherwise be denied access to quality education.
She explained that the charity initially focused on sponsoring secondary school education for disadvantaged children identified through a rigorous assessment process.
According to her, the organisation currently sponsors more than 20 children through six years of secondary education, covering tuition fees, uniforms, books and other educational expenses without any financial contribution from their parents.
“Many of these beneficiaries are orphans, children from single-parent homes or families facing severe economic hardship. Our goal is to ensure that financial limitations do not deprive them of quality education,” Akanmu said.
She further revealed that the Community Resource Centre receives about 500 children daily who visit to read books, participate in literacy programmes and acquire computer skills.
She added that schools within the Ikota community also make scheduled visits to the centre, enabling their pupils to utilise the library and participate in structured reading and digital learning sessions.
While expressing optimism about the future of education in Nigeria, Akanmu said improved funding for public schools and stronger support for educational initiatives would expand access to quality learning opportunities for more children across the country.
One of the graduating beneficiaries, Mr. Jimoh Orilowo, described the programme as life-changing, saying the opportunity enabled him to overcome the limitations imposed by his physical disability.
Orilowo, who has one hand, said he initially doubted his ability to learn tailoring but was encouraged by his instructors and fellow trainees.
“I am grateful to Path to Possibilities for seeing ability in my disability. Today, I can cut and sew professionally with one hand because they believed in me,” he said.
Another graduate, Miss Destiny Godwin, who was raised by a single parent, described the training as a turning point in her life.
“This opportunity means everything to me. I intend to continue my education while improving my tailoring skills so I can build a successful future,” she said.
The presentation of sewing machines and certificates to the graduates marked the high point of the anniversary celebration, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to empowering vulnerable young Nigerians with practical skills for self-reliance and economic independence.
