By Oriakhi Loveth Omosefe
NACA Partners Abuja Chamber to Train HIV-Positive Youths in Digital Skills
five-day digital empowerment programme targeting Nigerian youth, including adolescents living with HIV, kicked off Monday in Abuja,
signalling a renewed push to equip vulnerable groups with relevant skills for today’s digital economy.
Organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
The training seeks to build capacity in digital content creation, entrepreneurship, and health advocacy among 40 selected participants.
The initiative is being held at the ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, ACCI Deputy President, Professor Adesoji Adesugba,
described the programme as a deliberate step toward empowering youths with skills that can transform their economic and social realities.
He noted that in addition to acquiring technical knowledge, the trainees are expected to become community advocates and digital storytellers.
“This programme goes beyond skills acquisition.
It is about positioning these young individuals as digital voices for their communities—people who can influence, inform, and inspire,” Adesugba said.
Participants will receive training in video production, platform management, graphic design, and digital marketing.
They are also expected to collaborate on group projects, with the most innovative ideas set to receive additional support.
According to the organisers, the curriculum is structured to provide both foundational and practical experience in digital communication tools.
The Director of the ACCI BEST Centre, Murtala Mahmoud, underscored the need for skills-driven education in today’s job market.
He pointed out that for many youths—especially those with added social vulnerabilities such as living with HIV—digital literacy is not just an advantage but a necessity.
“In the age of the digital economy, the absence of skills equates to the absence of opportunity,” Mahmoud said.
“Our goal is to unlock the potential in these young people, helping them gain the tools to be economically and emotionally self-reliant.”
NACA Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, said the programme directly supports Nigeria’s HIV prevention strategy,
which emphasises youth engagement, social inclusion, and innovative communication methods.
She cited recent data indicating that young Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 24 remain among the most vulnerable to HIV in West Africa,
largely due to stigma, unemployment, and limited access to digital and educational resources.
“We must empower young people living with HIV with the tools to navigate today’s world,” Ilori said.
“This includes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and the confidence to advocate for themselves and their peers.”
She explained that beyond job creation, the training aims to improve the mental well-being and social integration of the participants.
“By helping them tell their stories and express themselves digitally, we are enabling a more informed, connected, and healthier society,” she said.
Ilori also announced that the participants would receive mentorship support after the training,
to ensure continued growth and application of the skills learned.
Tools such as Canva and artificial intelligence platforms will be introduced during the sessions, giving participants exposure to current technologies.
Of the 40 young people in attendance, many are living with HIV. For them, the training represents not just a skills acquisition exercise,
but a chance to reshape their futures. Ilori encouraged the participants to use the platform as a springboard for advocacy,
financial independence, and personal transformation.
“We want you to be able to feed yourselves, support your health, and speak up for others like you.
You are not just trainees—you are future digital advocates and leaders,” she added.
The programme is expected to conclude with presentations of group projects,
offering the participants a chance to demonstrate what they have learned and how they intend to apply it.
Organisers hope the initiative will become a model for other youth-centred digital empowerment efforts across the country.
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