The Awesome Empowerment Foundation (AEF) is set to graduate its pioneer cohort of the Fortitude Empowerment Scheme, a vocational training programme designed to equip underserved individuals with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge for economic independence.
The graduation ceremony will hold on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in Lagos, marking a milestone in the foundation’s efforts to promote skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic participation.
The foundation said its flagship programme provides training in fashion design, tailoring, culinary arts and baking, while preparing to introduce hairdressing and barbing to expand its vocational offerings.
Beyond technical training, participants receive instruction in entrepreneurship, digital skills, product packaging, social media management and business development.
The programme also provides business set-up support, mentorship and practical guidance over three months to help beneficiaries establish and manage their businesses.
According to the foundation, its recruitment policy targets men and women aged 18 and above, with persons with disabilities accounting for 10 per cent of participants.
Speaking ahead of the graduation, the Chief Executive Officer of AEF, Dr Tola Bamigbaiye, urged the trainees to utilise the skills acquired to build sustainable livelihoods.
“Nothing is stopping you from being resilient, tenacious and authentic except yourself. Every graduate in this cohort has already shown what happens when you choose to keep going. The skills are yours now. So is the decision to use them,” she said.
Bamigbaiye congratulated the pioneer graduates and encouraged them to embrace the opportunities ahead.
The foundation disclosed that it had completed three major projects during the year, including the fourth edition of its Imperfectly Awesome Conversations platform, which attracted more than 350 participants, and two cohorts of basic fashion and culinary training involving 120 trainees.
It said the training beneficiaries comprised 85 per cent women and 15 per cent men, with persons with disabilities representing 10 per cent of participants.
The foundation also operates Imperfectly Awesome Conversations, a platform that promotes discussions around authenticity, resilience and personal development.
While the conversation platform encourages individuals to embrace their differences and overcome personal limitations, the Fortitude Empowerment Scheme provides practical opportunities to translate those principles into economic independence.
AEF said it collaborates with organisations across the public, private and social sectors to strengthen its programmes and expand their reach.
Its partners and collaborators include HBM, Kerrygold Milk, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, LASRO, Dotts Media, Alpha and Jam, PKF, non-governmental organisations and religious institutions.
Operating under the message, “Empowering People. Transforming Communities,” the foundation said it remained committed to using education, vocational training, entrepreneurship and inclusion to improve livelihoods.
The Awesome Empowerment Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on equipping individuals with practical vocational skills, business support and opportunities to achieve financial independence despite personal challenges or limitations.
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