“Empowering Youth. Accelerating Talent. Building Nigeria’s Geospatial Future.”
GIFON's Youth Empowerment and Acceleration Program is designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to excel in Geospatial Intelligence and related technologies. Through mentorship, hands-on training, and innovation-driven projects, the program nurtures the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers. By fostering creativity, leadership, and technical expertise, it empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to national security, sustainable development, and the technological advancement of Nigeria.
Program Goals
Empower Youth
Equip Nigerian youth with world-class skills in geospatial technologies and intelligence to compete on a global stage.
Accelerate Talent
Identify and nurture high-potential talent through structured mentorship, bootcamps, and innovation labs.
Promote Innovation
Drive indigenous solutions to Nigeria’s security, infrastructure, and development challenges using local data.
Boost Employability
Connect trained youth to industry, government, and international job opportunities in the growing GEOINT sector.
Strengthen National Capacity
Build a pool of skilled professionals contributing to Nigeria’s critical infrastructure resilience and national security architecture.
Program Structure
1. Talent Discovery & Recruitment
- Annual nationwide call for applications.
- Outreach to universities, NYSC, and innovation hubs.
- Selection through aptitude tests and challenges.
2. Capacity Building & Training
- Foundational Training: Geospatial Intelligence, remote sensing, mapping.
- Advanced Skills: AI, machine learning, drones, satellite systems.
- Soft Skills: Leadership, ethics, and project management.
3. Innovation & Acceleration Labs
- Geo-Innovation Lab: Real-world projects in security & smart cities.
- Start-Up Incubation: Seed funding and mentorship.
- Hackathons: Competitions to drive problem-solving.
4. Mentorship & Industry Linkages
- Pairing youth with experts from industry and government.
- Internship placements with partner organizations.
- Exposure to global GEOINT forums (e.g., USGIF, DGI).
5. Employment Pathways
- Certification to increase employability.
- Access to job opportunities via GIFON's Private Sector Forum.
- Support to launch startups addressing national challenges.