International Women Federation President Launches Strategic Mentorship Drive to Cultivate Early Stage Youth Entrepreneurship in Abuja

President Cynthia Edudje unveils the Catch Them Young drive in Abuja. Discover how IWFCI is turning secondary students into Nigeria’s next top entrepreneurs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 9:37 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Latest News

A Foundational Shift Toward Self Reliance

The International Women Federation of Commerce and Industry has officially inaugurated a targeted mentorship campaign aimed at reshaping the career trajectories of young Nigerians. During the launch event held at the Government Science Technical College in Abuja, President Cynthia Ejiroghene Edudje emphasized that the "Catch Them Young" initiative is a direct response to a saturated labor market where traditional job opportunities continue to dwindle. By introducing business concepts at the secondary school level, the organization seeks to provide students with the psychological and technical tools necessary to navigate an economy that increasingly rewards self starters and innovators.

Transforming Personal Passion Into Commercial Viability

The core philosophy of the new drive centers on the early identification of individual talent and its conversion into a professional career path. According to Doctor Edudje, targeting younger demographics is a deliberate strategy to spark curiosity before students enter the competitive workforce. She argued that when a child understands that their innate interests can be structured into a profitable enterprise, it fosters a sense of joy and purpose that carries into their adult lives. This methodology is designed to create a pipeline of future entrepreneurs who view self employment not as a last resort, but as a primary and prestigious ambition.

Expansion and Institutional Acceptance of the Program

The mentorship initiative has already demonstrated significant scalability, having successfully reached eleven educational institutions prior to its formal unveiling. The overwhelming reception from both faculty and students has encouraged the federation to expand the program’s scope beyond its initial pilot phase. Federation leadership stressed that this intervention is not intended as a singular event but as a sustained presence within the school system. By maintaining a consistent mentorship cycle, the program ensures that the initial spark of interest is nurtured through regular contact with established industry professionals and role models.