The IDEAS programme
What: Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) is a World Bank-funded skills project run with the Federal Government of Nigeria. Benue is one of the participating states. The free six-month training was held at the SACS Computers Training Center in Makurdi. It had three months of hands-on training and three months of internship placement.
SANF's role: SACS Computers, SANF's training partner, delivered the IDEAS training. As part of our mentorship programme, SANF put forward young people we mentor as IDEAS trainees, so they could gain digital skills at no cost. Outside IDEAS, SANF has also sponsored young people for training at SACS Computers at various times.
Who: About 700 participants aged 18 to 45. Most were unemployed graduates. Some were working and wanted new skills.
Courses
- Basic Computer Skills
- Data Analysis (SPSS)
- Data Analysis (Python)
- Graphic Design
- Web Development (frontend and backend)
IDEAS Results
| Course | Completed the course | Internships, jobs or career advancement | Also reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Computer Skills | Over 95% | About 80% | Over 95% gained Microsoft Office certification |
| Web Development | Over 80% | About 60% (internships and freelance work) | Over 60% published their projects online on GitHub |
| Data Analysis (SPSS) | Over 75% | About 65% | Over 50% gained a professional certification |
| Data Analysis (Python) | Over 71% | About 50% | Over 60% took further certifications |
| Graphic Design | Over 60% | About 55% | – |
Source: course reports for the first IDEAS cohort published by SACS Computers, our training partner. SACS Computers is a related party (see Governance & Transparency), and these figures have not been independently verified.
What we learned: Most trainees finished their course, and at least half of the graduates of every course moved into internships, jobs or career advancement. Results varied by course: Basic Computer Skills did best, while Graphic Design and Python data analysis did least well. Even in the strongest course, about one graduate in five did not move into work. Young people also need employers who have agreed in advance to take trainees, and mentors who stay with them through the job search. That is why we are building both.
Youth registration and placement database
Young people who live in any of Benue's 23 Local Government Areas can register on our online portal. More than 500 young people have registered so far. Registered young people receive:
- Job and internship alerts by SMS and email
- CV and interview guidance
- Referrals to employers, with their permission
Youth Mentorship & Reorientation
Reorientation means helping young people build a clear sense of direction and a sound set of values for work and public life. Mentoring covers:
- Career guidance: choosing a path, preparing for interviews, workplace expectations
- Values and ethics: honesty, reliability and handling money responsibly
- Civic responsibility: voting, community service and holding leaders to account
Mentors are volunteer professionals from Benue State and beyond. Each mentor is vetted and supports up to five young people over six months, with monthly sessions in person in Makurdi or by phone or video.
AI skills and digital access initiative
This is planned and has not yet started. We are developing short, practical courses on using AI tools for work, such as writing, data analysis and research. We also want to give young people who lack devices and internet access a place to use them at the training centre. We are seeking partners and funding to start in 2027.
Partner with usMentor a young person, run a workshop or help at an event. Volunteers who work with young people go through our safeguarding checks.
Make a Donation
To sponsor a programme, please contact us first, or
You can send your support through: