AYV News, March 4, 2026
The National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) has officially launched a new skills training initiative funded by the European Union through the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The six-week programme, themed “Training of Youths in Demand-Driven Skills,” is being implemented under the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants will receive national accreditation from the National Council for Technical, Vocational and Other Academic Awards (NCTVE) upon completion.
The project is aligned with NAYCOM’s mandate to design, coordinate, monitor and implement youth development programmes across Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Patrick Michaelson Gibrilla, encouraged NAYCOM and IOM to see returnee youths as “second-chancers” who have endured difficult experiences but remain determined to rebuild their lives.
He urged beneficiaries to take the training seriously, remain disciplined and use the opportunity to acquire practical skills that will foster self-reliance and economic independence.
NAYCOM Commissioner, Joseph Maada Lahai, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young people through strategic partnerships with development partners.
He reaffirmed President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth empowerment nationwide.
At the induction ceremony of 486 students at NAYCOM’s Obasanjo Skills Training College, Commissioner Lahai assured participants that potential employers have already been identified to facilitate job placement, ensuring that acquired skills translate into meaningful employment and sustainable livelihoods.
The Officer-in-Charge for IOM, Pauline Macharia, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment initiatives, particularly for young people affected by irregular migration.
She expressed appreciation to NAYCOM for the partnership and voiced optimism about continued collaboration aimed at improving the prospects of Sierra Leone’s youth.
The initiative is expected to strengthen reintegration efforts while equipping beneficiaries with practical, market-relevant skills to contribute positively to national development.
