YouthBank Launch: Lagos, Nigeria

YouthBank made tremendous progress in August 2009, with a successful launch in Lagos, strong partnerships formed, and a positive reception from the community.

Since 2007, we have conducted a comprehensive market survey of street youth in the Mushin and Surelere districts, led multiple focus groups with youth leaders and advisors in the Nigeria Network of NGOs, and mapped out the competitive and collaborative landscape in Lagos the world's fastest-growing megacity. Our rigorous research led us to open a photo studio in Surelere, where our first class of YouthBank Fellows will learn business skills on the job, generate revenue to offset the costs of their training, and receive living stipends that they will save and invest in their own business ideas.

We are excited about YouthBank's prospects for growth and impact, and we need your help to capture all the opportunities that emerged from our action-packed launch in Lagos!

A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH IN LAGOS

On August 10, 2009 six "travel team" members from the US (Clara Chow, Jodine Gordon, Kristin Hall, Lily Rubin, Danny Urgelles, and Alex Yen) flew to Lagos to work with our Nigerian team members (Victor Gotevbe, Francis Anyaegbu, Dipo Oladapo, Michael Onwuemene, and volunteers) on a 3-part YouthBank launch.

Part 1: Recruitment/screening of potential YouthBank Fellows for the first class at the Surelere YouthBank Center.

Part 2: Intensive training and coaching of Fellows and staff in the areas of:

  • Business skills: (e.g. accounting, customer service, competitor analysis)
  • Technical skills (with computers, including Photoshop and Excel programs and professional SLR cameras, including focusing and composition)
  • Life skills (e.g., budgeting and managing a 'personal income statement,' effective presentations, and giving/accepting feedback)

Part 3: Celebration and press conference at the US Consulate in Lagos.

Results include:

  • A stellar class of 8 YB Fellows (25% female), referred to us from established nonprofit partners including CLEEN Foundation and Freedom Foundation (which runs 'rehabilitation' programs for street youth, substance abusers, and ex-commercial sex workers). The Fellows passed through a rigorous 3 step screening process involving a baseline survey, interviews, and a focus group. They continue to receive feedback every week on a set of key performance metrics.
  • Strong demand for the YB program. Despite our attempts to keep this pilot interview process low-profile (limited to 20 applicants), we were flooded with over 50 candidates. The demand was such that we offered an extra training/information session for candidates who wanted to be considered for the next class.
  • A spacious, newly renovated 4-room YouthBank Center at 39 Ajao Street (10 min from Ogunlana Drive, in Surelere). We are in the process of opening up shop. The Fellows have 3 professional-grade SLR cameras and 3 laptops equipped with Photoshop and our proprietary YB accounting system. They are exploring the potential of a webcafe, resource center/library, and a day spa as additional businesses.
  • Strong support from potential funders and partners. We received extremely positive coverage from the Vanguard, Guardian, and This Day newspapers, and pledges of support from partners (e.g. Freedom Foundation's offer to co-fund the next YB Center) and foundations (discussions begun with the philanthropic arms of UBA and FCMB, two of the most prominent banks in Nigeria)

Examples of coverage: