Applications are now open for the YASIF Digital, Green and Employability Skills Programme 2026, a free skills-development initiative aimed at helping young people and women in Nigeria acquire relevant digital, green and workplace competencies.

The programme is implemented by Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future (YASIF) in partnership with IBM SkillsBuild and other partners.

Similar YASIF and IBM SkillsBuild initiatives provide participants with free online learning, IBM SkillsBuild credentials and career-readiness support.

Benefits available to participants

Selected participants can access a range of training and career-development opportunities, including:

• Free digital skills training
• Training in green and sustainability-related skills
• Employability and career-readiness training
• IBM SkillsBuild-recognized certificates
• Career mentorship
• Access to potential job-placement opportunities
• Practical skills designed to improve employability

Who can apply?

The programme is targeted at several groups of young Nigerians seeking to strengthen their skills and employment prospects.

Eligible target groups include young people in Nigeria, women seeking to develop new skills, students and recent graduates, job seekers, and young people looking to improve their digital and employability skills.

Applicants are advised to check the official application form for the programme’s specific eligibility requirements.

Three key areas of training

The programme is structured around three major areas: digital skills, green skills and employability skills.

Digital skills: Participants can build practical digital competencies that may support employment, entrepreneurship and further professional development.

Green skills: The programme introduces participants to sustainability and environmentally focused skills that are increasingly relevant across different industries.

Employability skills: Participants can strengthen workplace competencies such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork and career readiness.

Certificates and career support

A major benefit of the programme is access to IBM SkillsBuild-recognized credentials after successful completion of relevant training.

Participants may also receive career mentorship and job-placement support, providing opportunities to connect newly acquired skills with potential employment opportunities.

Why the programme is relevant

Digital and green competencies are becoming increasingly important within Nigeria’s labour market.

The free programme provides young people and women with an opportunity to develop practical skills without paying tuition or training fees.

Beyond technical learning, the initiative combines skills development with employability support, allowing participants to strengthen both their professional capabilities and career readiness.

Application deadline

Applicants should check the official application form for the current deadline and programme timeline, as these details were not specified in the information provided.

How to apply

Interested applicants can complete the official application form through the link below:

Apply for the YASIF Digital, Green and Employability Skills Programme 2026

Source: MSME Africa Online