Building Futures : Sterling oil sponsors VCDF to train Lagos youths for self-reliance
Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has intensified investment to contribute towards socio-economic development across communities in Nigeria through Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF). In partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), VCDF implemented the NextGen programme to equip over 1,000 youths across Lagos with knowledge and skills for self-reliance.
The NextGen programme supports Lagos State Government’s agenda to reduce poverty by ensuring that youth empowerment programmes reach rapidly growing communities across the state. It was piloted in 2025, and 518 youths were trained on business and entrepreneurship.
Building on the pilot, NextGen has scaled to 10 centres equipping over 1,349 youths – 1046 females and 303 males – across WAPA centres in Ayobo (101), Egbeda (210), Ibeju Lekki (117), Kosofe (73), and Mushin (144) Egan (102), Agege (240), Surulere (102), Ejigbo (153), Lagos Island (107) local government areas for the past 7 months.
VCDF’s National Programmes Manager, Dr. James Odey, stated that NextGen will continue after training sessions with a competition for trained youths to present their business plan in Business Model Canvas (BMC) . Selected plans will be further supported with business advisory services.
This geographic coverage reinforces Sterling Oil’s focus on inclusive development and supports Lagos State’s efforts to embed youth empowerment within local communities where training can translate more directly into micro and small businesses. Key learning points shared by participants include the best goal setting, business planning, product management, and customers’ management approaches to adopt.
Oni Michael, one of the participants in Mushin WAPA Centre shared that the NextGen training gave him clarity for his fashion business. “I have better understanding on how to structure my ideas to improve my fashion business. I now have a simple roadmap to grow my fashion business. I was surprised to learn that even drivers have a value proposition for their customers. I appreciate Sterling Oil, Lagos State Government and VCDF for the impactful training” — He said
Akinpelu Ibukun, The Principal, Ibeju-Lekki WAPA centre said. ‘‘Many thanks to Sterling Oil and VCDF, trainees are better positioned to move from survival mode to stability as the business skills they have gained will help them become self-reliant and contribute to local economies.’’
Lagos stands as Nigeria’s foremost metropolis, attracting ambitious young people from every state in the federation. NextGen has provided practical entrepreneurship skills and valuable business knowledge to help trained youths strengthens micro and small businesses in their respective local communities. This ripple effect means that investment in youth training in Lagos generates economic benefits across Nigeria, as new enterprises emerge and existing ones gain capacity across the country.
Along with relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) goals, NextGen strongly contributes to the achievement of SDG1 – No poverty, and SDG 5, Gender Equality.
Since 2022, VCDF has reached over 4,000 lives through sustainable livelihood programmes implemented in Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Lagos States. VCDF has touched over 80,683 lives since inception by delivering high-impact work through health, education, sustainable livelihoods, and gender and social inclusion interventions.
VCDF will continue to leverage Sterling Oil’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts by collaborating with government institutions, development partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen youth-focused programmes that promote sustainable livelihoods, and economic inclusion.
Through these partnerships, VCDF aims to create shared value that supports sustainable growth and improved socio-economic outcomes across Nigerian communities.
