Abuja: Ms Titilolami Bello, the Founder of Path to Possibilities, a UK-registered charity, has urged for greater investment in education and vocational training to equip young Nigerians with practical skills. Bello emphasized the importance of this investment during the 10th anniversary and graduation ceremony of the organisation’s tailoring programme beneficiaries at its resource centre in Ikota, Ajah.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Bello highlighted the pressing need to address the high number of out-of-school children in the country by diversifying education through vocational training and practical skills. She urged the government at all levels to allocate more funds towards enhancing education and vocational skills development.
Path to Possibilities was established in 2009, with its community resource centre opening in 2016 to provide access to books, computer training, and vocational education for underserved children and youths. The centre offers a library, a computer lab with free internet access, and full-time instructors who teach basic digital skills and computer literacy.
Bello noted that many local schools lack computer labs, relying instead on the centre to provide practical computer education. The resource centre also serves as a safe space for vulnerable girls to access sanitary products and other essential support. Additionally, workshops on CV writing and interview skills are organized to help young people confidently pursue employment opportunities.
The tailoring training, introduced in 2025, aims to equip out-of-school youths and secondary school graduates with employable skills, thereby enhancing their economic prospects. The first cohort of five students has successfully completed the tuition-free 12-month training program.
Bello identified poor electricity supply as a significant challenge for the organisation. Plans are underway to install a solar power system to ensure uninterrupted learning and reduce operating costs. Thousands of children have benefited from the centre’s offerings, including computer literacy and vocational training, thanks to partnerships with supporters and charitable organisations.
Bello praised the organisation’s partners for their donations, training programmes, and other interventions that have strengthened the centre’s community impact. She also appealed to established fashion designers to offer apprenticeship opportunities to graduates of the tailoring programme for further skill enhancement and career development.
Ms Funmilola Akanmu, a Trustee and Director at the organisation, stated that Path to Possibilities was founded to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged children, initially sponsoring six years of secondary education for selected students. The organisation has sponsored over 20 students through secondary school and plans to sponsor more this year.
The resource centre accommodates 500 children daily for reading, reading programmes, and computer skills learning. Schools in the Ikota area also schedule visits for their pupils to use the library for reading and learning sessions. Akanmu expressed hope that increased funding and support for state schools would improve access to secondary education for more children.
Beneficiaries of the programme, such as Jimoh Orilowo and Destiny Godwin, shared their gratitude for the opportunities provided by Path to Possibilities. Orilowo, who has one hand, overcame challenges with the support of the charity, while Godwin, raised by a single parent, plans to further her education and tailoring skills.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the beneficiaries received free sewing machines and certificates upon graduation.