Art academy trains 28,000 youths, secures 16,000 jobs – Tribune Online

The Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) has trained over 28,000 young Nigerians and facilitated employment for about 16,000 beneficiaries, as it hosted its first decentralised alumni graduation ceremony in Kano.

The graduation ceremony, held in Kano, brought together stakeholders, government representatives, development partners, and families to celebrate the achievements of participants trained under the TAFTA programme in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kano State Project Manager, Abbakar Balarabe Isa, described the initiative as a “transformational pathway” for youths aged 18 to 35 seeking sustainable careers.

He noted that the decentralised graduation marked a significant milestone in deepening youth engagement and supporting participants’ transition into the workforce or business ownership.

According to Isa, TAFTA operates across Lagos State, Kano State, and Ogun State, focusing on equipping young people with creative, technical, and entrepreneurial skills aligned with market demands.

Training areas include scriptwriting, animation, digital design, and entrepreneurship.

He explained that the programme integrates practical training with life and business skills such as communication, financial literacy, and enterprise development to prepare participants for employment and self-reliance.

“The programme has created opportunities for young people not only to acquire creative and technical expertise but also to access job placements and entrepreneurial support that can transform their lives,” Isa said.

He added that TAFTA has introduced a digital platform that allows graduates to upload their curriculum vitae and connect directly with employers and industry stakeholders.

Isa further disclosed that the five-year initiative aims to train 65,000 youths and facilitate job placements or business start-ups for at least 60,000 beneficiaries.

Providing further breakdown, he revealed that under the programme’s fourth-year intervention, 19,480 youths have been trained in Kano, including 16,727 females, while 16,968 participants have secured job placements—13,667 of them women.

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Overall, from years one to four, the programme has reached 28,136 beneficiaries in the state, with women forming the majority.

He emphasised that beyond technical training, participants were also equipped with soft skills such as discipline, innovation, and confidence, positioning them as both job seekers and potential job creators.

“Programmes like TAFTA are essential in a state like Kano, where the creativity and energy of young people can drive both cultural and economic growth,” he said.

The ceremony, themed “Unstoppable Voices: Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies,” also underscored the importance of partnerships in youth development, with organisers acknowledging support from the Mastercard Foundation.

Also speaking, TAFTA’s Gender Inclusion and Safeguarding Lead, Ngozi Chukwu Chukwuma, said the initiative is designed to equip young people with creative and entrepreneurial skills while addressing gender and inclusion gaps in the sector.

She noted that participants were trained in animation, lighting and sound production, as well as business and entrepreneurship.

“We are bridging the gap around employment for young persons in the creative space. Today, we are celebrating cohorts who have successfully completed their training and have also gained enterprise skills and work opportunities,” she said.

Chukwuma disclosed that although over 19,000 creatives have benefited from the programme, about 600 graduates attended the Kano ceremony.

She added that 75 per cent of the graduates are women, while about five per cent are persons living with disabilities.

She stressed that the focus on women is deliberate, citing cultural and societal barriers that often limit their access to opportunities, particularly in northern Nigeria.

“Why not women?” she asked. “There is a clear gender gap, and we are working to bridge it by creating visibility and opportunities for women and persons with disabilities, who also have immense talent and capacity.”

Some graduates shared testimonials on the programme’s impact. One beneficiary, Fatima Nasir Sani, said the training improved her skills in animation and business development.

“I can now independently create animations and effectively advertise my products,” she said.

Observers said the initiative represents a strategic response to youth unemployment by leveraging opportunities in Nigeria’s growing creative industry, while promoting innovation, economic growth, and sustainable livelihoods.