Country of Residence
Nigeria
Age
19
Project title
Auta Baleffi Skills Hub
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
Auta Balefi Skills Hub trains unemployed youths in Auta Balefi, Nasarawa State in tailoring, barbing, phone repair, and computer skills so they can start small businesses and earn a living.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Pilot-Stage (We’ve tried an activity or two)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
I grew up in plot 20, Auta Balefi, Karu and every day I see the same thing. Young people finish secondary school and just sit at home. No job, no skill, no way to support themselves. Some try to hustle but they have nothing in their hands to hustle with. That is why many stay idle and lose hope. My "Aha!" moment came when I realized we don't need to wait for government. If our youths learn tailoring, barbing, phone repair and computer skills, they can create their own income right here in our community. That is why I started Auta Balefi Skills Hub — to give youths in my area practical skills so they can work, earn, and build their future.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
In Plot 20, Auta Balefi, Karu, youth unemployment is very high. Many young people finish secondary school with no job and no practical skill to earn a living. Because they have nothing doing, poverty increases and some get involved in bad vices out of frustration. This matters to me because these are my neighbours, my friends, my community. I cannot watch their future waste when I know skills can change it.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
Auta Balefi Skills Hub trains youths aged 15-30 in tailoring, barbing, phone repair, and basic computer skills. We use a simple model: 3 months practical training with local artisans as trainers, then support to start small business. Training is free so every youths can join. We will start in Plot 20 with small groups of 15-20 per batch, using a rented space and donated tools. After training, we connect them to customers in the community and guide them on pricing and savings.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
We are at pilot stage. We have spoken to 30+ youths who are ready to join the first batch, and 4 local artisans have agreed to train. In 12 months, our target is to train 60 youths, with at least 40 starting their own small hustle or getting shop assistant work. Success for us is simple: less idle youths on the street, more young tailors, barbers, phone repairers and computer operators earning in Auta Balefi.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
Most skills programs are far from Auta Balefi and expensive. Our innovation is bringing training directly into the community using local artisans as trainers. We don't just teach skill, we teach how to earn. We combine tailoring, barbing, phone repair and computer skills with simple business training on pricing and savings. And we keep batch small (15-20) in a rented space in Plot 20, so youths learn practically and start earning fast without leaving their area.
How many people are on your team?
4
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
We are 4. I lead as founder - coordination and mobilization. Member 2 handles training liaison with artisans. Member 3 handles finance and records. Member 4 handles outreach to youths. We share leadership through weekly meetings and joint decisions.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
In the next 3 months, we will secure a rented space in Plot 20, get basic tools, and launch Batch 1 with 20 youths. Over the next year, we plan to train 3 batches (60 youths), partner with more artisans, and create a small cooperative for graduates to get customers. We will also track income of graduates to show impact and attract support.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
I talk to youths one-on-one in the community and through WhatsApp groups. So far I have engaged 30+ youths who want to join, and 4 artisans who agreed to train. In future, we will do open demo days in the rented space where people can see tailoring, barbing and phone repair in action, and graduates will share their stories to inspire others to join.
