NGO launches skills and agribusiness programmes for women, youth in Abuja

A new non-governmental organisation, the New Dawn for Women and Community Intervention Initiative (NEWOMCII), has been formally launched in Abuja, positioning itself as a structured platform to address socio-economic gaps affecting women and youth through skills development, enterprise support, and community-based programmes.

The unveiling event drew a cross-section of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, policymakers, and development partners, reflecting growing consensus around the need for grassroots-driven interventions to unlock productivity and reduce inequality across Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch, founder and chairman of NEWOMCII, Bolaji Raji, described the initiative as a response to persistent structural gaps that continue to limit the potential of women and young people, despite evident talent and entrepreneurial activity at the community level.

“We saw the gap and the need,” Raji said. “Across our communities, many women and young people possess immense potential but lack access to the tools and structures required to succeed.”

According to him, NEWOMCII is designed to complement existing government efforts by focusing on practical, demand-driven interventions rather than duplicating policy frameworks. He noted that the organisation’s model prioritises implementation and measurable outcomes, particularly in areas where access to opportunity remains constrained.

Raji disclosed that the initiative had already undergone a ten-month pilot phase prior to its formal unveiling, during which programmes were tested, refined, and adapted to local realities. This early groundwork, he said, informed the organisation’s current operational strategy and strengthened its engagement with grassroots communities.

Unlike advocacy-focused models, NEWOMCII’s approach is anchored on four core pillars: agribusiness, arts and creative enterprise, skills development, and broader community interventions. These focus areas are intended to drive both immediate economic participation and long-term sustainability.

He emphasised that women remain central to the organisation’s mission, citing their role in household stability and wider economic outcomes. “When women are empowered, families thrive, and communities progress. This is not just a belief; it is a proven pathway to sustainable development,” he said.

The launch also featured the unveiling of the organisation’s published works, signalling its transition from pilot operations into a more structured national platform with defined programmes and partnerships.

In her remarks, National Coordinator of NEWOMCII, Saadati Bokane Adamu, highlighted early progress recorded during the pilot phase, particularly within rural communities where access to opportunities is often limited.

She noted that several women’s groups have already benefited from targeted interventions aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding income-generating activities.

“This platform allows us to showcase our success stories, articulate our vision, and build the partnerships needed to scale our interventions,” Adamu said.

She added that the organisation’s next phase would focus on expanding its reach beyond initial communities, with an emphasis on collaboration across sectors. “We appreciate the support we have received and look forward to working with partners across sectors to deepen our impact on women and communities,” she said.

Delivering the first keynote address, Tupee Enid Taylor, Managing Partner at Liberty Law Firm in Monrovia and former First Lady of Liberia, underscored the economic significance of women’s participation across African economies.

She argued that while women remain highly active in informal and small-scale enterprise, systemic barriers continue to limit their growth potential, particularly in areas such as access to finance, infrastructure, and enabling policies.

“Across Africa, we understand a simple truth: when a woman is empowered, her family is strengthened, and her community prospers,” Taylor said.

“What we see is not a lack of activity. Women are working, creating, and building. But without the right support, these efforts cannot reach their full potential.”

Taylor’s remarks reinforced a broader narrative among development stakeholders that unlocking women’s economic potential is less about initiating activity and more about removing structural constraints that prevent scaling and sustainability.

In the second keynote address, Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Ayo Omotayo, represented by Zubairu Jide Attah, called for a shift in how women are positioned within policy and development frameworks.

“We must move from seeing women as vulnerable to recognising them as a source of strategic human capital,” he said.

According to him, investments in women should be treated as high-impact economic decisions rather than purely social interventions, given their multiplier effects across households and communities.

“When we invest in a woman, we are making an economic investment that can exceed many traditional revenue sources,” he added.

Omotayo also cautioned against losing momentum after the initial launch phase, urging the organisation to prioritise continuity, scale, and measurable outcomes.

“Do not let the momentum of this launch fade. The real work begins now,” he said.

The launch of NEWOMCII comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with high youth unemployment, widening inequality, and persistent gender gaps in access to opportunity. With one of the largest youth populations globally, the country faces increasing pressure to translate demographic potential into economic productivity.

Stakeholders at the event broadly agreed that community-driven initiatives such as NEWOMCII could play a complementary role to public sector efforts, particularly in bridging last-mile gaps where government programmes may not fully reach.

The presence of traditional institutions and international partners at the unveiling also highlighted the importance of multi-level collaboration in driving sustainable impact. Participants noted that alignment between local realities and broader development frameworks would be critical to long-term success.

For NEWOMCII, the immediate challenge lies in scaling its pilot experience into a national framework capable of delivering consistent outcomes across diverse communities. Its emphasis on practical interventions, rather than advocacy alone, positions it to address pressing needs in skills development, enterprise support, and economic inclusion.

The organisation’s focus on agribusiness and creative enterprise also reflects an attempt to tap into sectors with both employment potential and scalability, particularly among young people seeking alternatives to traditional job markets.

With its formal launch, NEWOMCII has signalled its intent to operate as an active player within Nigeria’s development ecosystem. Its alignment with broader priorities around inclusive growth and sustainable development suggests potential for both local impact and wider relevance.

While expectations remain high, stakeholders point to the organisation’s early field experience as a critical advantage. The ability to translate pilot success into scaled interventions will ultimately determine whether NEWOMCII can deliver on its mandate to empower women, support youth, and strengthen communities across Nigeria.