The Advancing Resiliency In Self-Employed young Women (ARISE&WIN) Project is Truly Privileged to have ‘Derayo as Self-Employed Peer Consultant!

Through her innovation De’rayo Vocational Limited, coupled with passion, she has successfully trained 9370 youths in the last six years in various vocational skills.

Derayo crafted a compelling digital story last year with the support of the ARISE&WIN project which has been shared for public viewing.

She grew up in a difficult neighbourhood where opportunities were scarce, and the pressure to succeed was enormous. This was a neighbourhood where many young people, particularly men, were often led astray by the allure of quick money and negative influences. Derayo’s determination and vision set her on a different path.

From a young age, Derayo knew she wanted more from life. At 16, she observed the wasted potential of the youth in her area. Many of them had given up on their dreams after failing to excel in traditional education. The idea of pursuing vocational skills was often seen as a last resort, something forced upon them rather than a viable career option.

This perception frustrated Derayo, who believed deeply in the value of skilled labour.

“Even when I was around 16 years old, I noticed how many youth, especially the guys, spent their time arguing and making excuses instead of doing something productive,” she said. “Most of them, if they failed to pass their exams in one or two sittings, didn’t see vocational skills as a viable option. They believed that learning a vocational skill was the end of the road for them, and they were often forced into it rather than choosing it willingly.”

Although the challenges and limitations of her environment were daunting, it was her passion for making a living with her hands that drove her to learn shoe and bag making – a decision that took her four arduous years. Even after completing her training, she struggled to gain confidence and find the relevant resources to establish her trade. The equipment she needed seemed out of reach, and she faced significant financial barriers. A turning point came when a friend gave her a phone, which she sold to buy a manual sewing machine.

Her early years as she tried to establish her business were marked by relentless hard work, innovations and problem-solving. She would write detailed appeals to politicians, seeking support for her young business, but often received no response. She managed to purchase her first industrial machine after six years of dedicated effort. Throughout her journey, Derayo faced temptations to take easier, but compromising, routes to success. She resisted these paths, determined to build her future through hard work and integrity. Her resilience and commitment to her vision kept her focused, even when the odds were stacked against her.

She captured her story this way: “I realised that many of the products we used, like shoes, bags, and clothes, were imported, and people didn’t appreciate that these items were made by human hands in other countries, not just by machines. This understanding fueled my passion for production and manufacturing, which naturally led me to the vocational aspect of my career. I wanted to show people that you could create value with your hands, sell your products, and make money.

I spent four years learning my trade, and even after that, I wasn’t sure how I would turn my skills into a successful career or how I would even make money from it. The thought of acquiring the necessary equipment seemed impossible, but I managed to persevere.”

It became clear to her that her life’s mission shouldn’t just be about overcoming personal challenges. It should also be about becoming an agent of change for other people. Her understanding of the value and potential of vocational skills inspired her to create opportunities for others. She wanted to demonstrate that skilled labour could be a dignified and profitable pursuit. This realisation became the cornerstone of her mission.

For this reason, De’rayo Vocational Limited was born.

Derayo developed a plan that would enable young people gain practical skills and start their careers quickly. She created a curriculum that enabled students to learn vocational skills in just six months under the mentorship of service providers who volunteered to be part of her vision and offered scholarships. Many of the learners who had shown exceptional promise and dedication during the six-month-long scholarship training were supported with equipment and resources to help them start their own businesses. This additional support guaranteed they had the necessary tools to apply their newly acquired skills and succeed in the competitive market, producing high-quality products that rival those of more experienced service providers.

De’rayo Vocational Limited also runs a programme on World Youth Skills Day every year to introduce young people to various vocational training opportunities.

For the 2024 edition, the ARISE&WIN team was fully on ground.

Empowering Young People on World Youth Skills Day in 2024…

De’rayo Vocational Limited marked the 2024 World Youth Skills Day with a colourful event at the Amphitheatre in Racecourse, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The celebration was aimed at promoting global youth skills development, and drew 550 participants, surpassing the anticipated 400. Among them were 58 trainers in various vocational skills and 15 volunteers who supported in the event planning. Of the 550 young people who came to learn various vocational skills, 105 participants received scholarships for further training.

The Principal Investigator of the ARISE&WIN Project and Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS, along with the core members of the ARISE&WIN team, attended the event to support Ms. Animashaun. As a special guest, Professor Omigbodun spoke about the ARISE&WIN project’s objectives and dedication to designing intervention packages that would enhance the resilience and wellbeing of self-employed women. She assured the young entrepreneurs of the project’s commitment to supporting them.

Aminat Aderayo Animashaun, CEO of De’rayo Vocational Limited and a self-employed peer consultant on the ARISE&WIN Project, emphasised the programme’s dual focus on skill acquisition and mentorship. She clarified that the one-day event was meant to introduce participants to various vocational skills and their trainers. 105 participants at the one-day event who showed promise and superior interest will then undergo a 6-month training for free from the trainers they were matched with. This was meant to target young people from various local governments. She highlighted the importance of inspiring and connecting young individuals with trainers to promote leadership in vocational fields.

Hon. Falana Adebayo, Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth, representing Governor Seyi Makinde, lauded the initiative for aligning with the state’s job creation efforts. He encouraged the youth to prioritise vocational skills for financial stability, especially given the current economic climate, and to view such skills as a foundational asset alongside formal education.

The youth engaged in learning 28 diverse vocational skills. The various vocational skills that were taught at the programme this year include accessory making, textile design, shoemaking, financial literacy, makeup and gele tying, bead making, crochet, cosmetology, fashion design, digital marketing, hairdressing, photography, branding and customising, solar and inverter installation, event management, cake and confectionery, decoration, traditional wedding compere, bag making, videography, project management, barbing, plastic and tyre upcycling, nail fixing, hair extension and sculpting with gel, resin art, automobile diagnosis and repair, and graphic design.

One major highlight of this year’s event was the support given to diligent and consistent learners from last year who had participated in a six-month-long training sponsored by a scholarship. These beneficiaries of the scholarship programme were given the necessary equipment to help them transition from their training to setting up their own businesses.

In the field of fashion design, Aremu Ifeoluwa from The Bamdel Fashion Empire, Ishola Omoshaleawa Ajoke of Olarry Bridals, and Oladejo Rashidat Yinka of Morade Fashion Hub were each empowered with industrial sewing machines to enhance their craft and jumpstart their fashion design businesses. For textile design (Adire), Adebisi Oyebukola, Olaodu Oluwakemi, and Bamidele Adesina, trainees at Abeni Prints, received essential tools such as gas burners, drums, chemicals, fabrics, and dye to support their projects.

In photography, Oluwasanmi Eniola Bridget, a trainee at Ceart Studios, was provided with a laptop to advance her photography business with better digital tools. In painting and signage, Joseph Olasupo, a person with a disability, received a laptop to aid in managing and expanding his enterprise effectively.

The impact of these training programmes on trainees and beneficiaries has been profound, and this offers a lifeline to young Nigerians grappling with unemployment. In terms of recent available data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s unemployment rate surged to 5.0% in the third quarter of 2023. The vocational training initiative led by Derayo and her team is providing crucial opportunities for skills development and economic empowerment for young people in Nigeria. In the specific case of what is being done here, not only are these training programmes helping to bridge the employment gap, but they are also empowering youths to become self-reliant and economically independent.

The young people who participated in this year’s one-day event of the World Skills Youth Day also expressed their gratitude for the impact the opportunity has had on their lives. Ajao Titilope Zainab shared her experience, stating, “Monday (July 15, 2024) was a blessing to me because it has always been my desire to learn how to make tie and dye in line with my profession. Both our trainers taught us in a way that was impactful, putting us through from scratch to the level at which we can really understand it. I would love to be granted the scholarship to continue learning and to become a source of blessing to others.”

Another beneficiary, Sira Ayola Oluwatosin, reflected on how inspirational the event was for her. “It was so overwhelming,” she said in her note of gratitude. “I was so happy and glad to be part of the show. It really touched me and made me think high. You can’t let your background push you down…. I won’t. Ms. Derayo has done a wonderful job, and I pray that God will elevate her. She has been doing a great job for six years, and I can’t wait to also come on stage and give my own testimony.”

Fakwa Ojei Messingwa, a participant in the photography class, detailed the technical skills he acquired. He said, “Photography is a very big skill to venture into. I learned so many things, like the key factors to be considered when you want to learn photography—ISO (sensitivity of the camera’s image sensor to light), aperture, and shutter speed. We also covered types of lenses, focusing techniques, and the practical applications of photography in everyday life.”

Their enthusiasm and excitement were palpable. This was indeed a flash of heaven, a dream come true.

Leveraging a Supportive and Volunteer Community…

Prior to starting the annual vocational skills programme, Derayo has been dedicated to social impact, which is evident in her volunteer efforts. In 2018, a volunteer helped her reach 73 schools to spread the word about her vocational training programmes. This grassroots approach ensured that even those in low-income communities had access to valuable skills and training opportunities.

However, Derayo’s vision extends beyond education or vocational training.

Most of the trainees who are a part of the World Youth Skills Day event organised by De’rayo Vocational Limited are business owners like Derayo. Derayo desired to use the opportunity for collective impact to also create a supportive community for business owners, where they could share knowledge and resources. She believes in the power of collaboration and the importance of kindness and positivity in fostering growth. By connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced trainers, she has created a network to enable mutual growth and success.

It’s worth mentioning that the volunteers come from various business circles that have contributed significantly over the years. Some of these volunteers are beneficiaries of the free trainings Derayo has been offering. For her, this only shows the cycle of giving back and empowerment that her initiative aims to promote.

She sums up her appreciation for the volunteers with these words: “Our volunteers have been the lifeblood of our events. Their dedication and willingness to give their time and knowledge have been instrumental in our success. I firmly believe that no one is an island; we thrive through the support and collaboration of our community.”

Travelling the World with the Message of Impact…

Derayo’s vision of making a difference is deeply pan-African and rooted in her commitment to supporting communities wherever she goes – in Africa or the African diaspora.

She is dedicated to training people in various handicrafts, ensuring that those in low-income communities can thrive. Her motivation stems from a desire to uplift and empower individuals, providing them with the skills they need to build better lives. For example, in 2023, Derayo travelled to Gambia where the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a free vocational training event organized by Derayo in partnership with Prospects for Girls, Gambia. The event aimed to empower members of the Senegambia Craft Market Association by enhancing their skills in basic handcrafts and art works. She has also represented Nigeria in Ghana, participating in trade integration events through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Africa Trade and Innovation Conference. Her efforts focus on exploring trade opportunities and encouraging innovation, furthering her mission to create sustainable economic growth and development across Africa.

Whether in Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, the USA or anywhere in the world, Derayo’s commitment is to support communities and train people in handicrafts or other co-extensive vocational skills as long as it gives them the foundation to do something with their lives. She believes in the power of providing opportunities for those in low-income areas, ensuring that everyone has a chance to succeed and thrive.

She has also received the prestigious Award for World Master in Art and Craft from South Korea.

The Long-Term Plan…

But Derayo is not done, neither is she stopping now.

Her ultimate vision is to establish an awarding institution for programmes that recognise and elevate vocational skills. She dreams of a well-equipped school where students can earn degrees in various trades and vocational skills, coupled with a factory that produces and exports high-quality goods. Her foundation aims to rescue and transform the lives of young people living under bridges, providing them with a home, education, and a pathway to a better future.

“I want to create a place where vocational skills are valued and awarded. A school that is well equipped with a factory to produce and export products. A foundation that can rescue youths living under the bridge and give them a better life,” she added. She also spoke about her passion for community upliftment which is further reflected in her desire for mutual support among business owners: “I also want to see a system where we help each other and don’t see ourselves as competitors but as partners. I believe in spreading love and positivity, and I want to create a support system for business owners to thrive together.”

Truly, Derayo’s story needs to be told.

In Nigeria, where support for making a difference is an expensive adventure, hers is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment to driving change. As her journey from a struggling youth to a successful entrepreneur and community leader continues, Derayo fully embodies the essence of our advocacy and the objectives of our project. She shows what resilience looks like despite debilitating pressures from within and without.

It is the power of perseverance and the impact of believing in oneself.

Nigeria can do with many more Derayos to realise her potential and aspirations.

Photostory: De’rayo Vocational Limited’s 2024 World Youth Skills Day Event

 ‘Seun Abimbola
Communications & Research Uptake Manager
Understanding the Gendered Impact of COVID-19 on Young Self-Employed Nigerian Women and Co-Producing Solutions that Foster Better Systems and Wellbeing
Branded as Advancing Resiliency In Self-Employed young Women in Nigeria (ARISE&WIN) Project