South–South Partnership (NIGHATOBE) Youth Training Camp 2026
Theme: Developing Entrepreneurial Leaders for Africa’s Future
15th – 19th April 2026
Sixty (60) participants from Nigeria, Togo, Benin, including eleven (11) young women from the Ghana Girl Guides Association, gathered in Nigeria at Don Bosco Center, from Wednesday, 15th April to Sunday, 19th April 2026, with one shared vision; to build capacity and shape Africa’s entrepreneurial future. The South–South Partnership (NIGHATOBE) Youth Training Camp quickly transformed into a vibrant hub of learning, collaboration, and innovation.
From the first day, participants were immersed in practical skill-building. Divided into patrols named after the WAGGGS World Centres, they began with foundational sessions in flower craft, beading, and entrepreneurship, laying the groundwork for creativity and business thinking.
The Open Day Ceremony brought encouragement from distinguished guests, including representatives of the Friends of WAGGGS African Region (Nigeria Chapter). A powerful session on “Turning Passion into Profit” challenged participants to see opportunity in their talents. Leadership development, video editing, and advanced fascinator-making further deepened their competence and confidence.
Day Three blended traditional enterprise with modern innovation. Participants engaged in tie & dye, custard mix production, bridal fan making, perfumery, financial literacy, digital skills, and even blockchain technology education. The integration of emerging tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok exposed them to the possibilities within today’s digital economy. By the end of the sessions, business ideas had evolved into tangible products and marketing materials.
On Day Four, learning met reality through market activities. Participants tested their skills in real-world environments, gaining firsthand experience in customer engagement, pricing, and value creation.
The camp concluded with a vibrant Closing Ceremony and International Night, celebrating cultural diversity and shared achievement. One particularly inspiring moment was the presence of a young participant from Ghana who, despite having her wedding in two weeks, chose to complete the training demonstrating remarkable commitment to long-term empowerment.
The camp welcomed participants across generations, from young graduates to retirees, reinforcing that financial independence and technological advancement are not bound by age, but by determination.
This success was made possible through the support of the Chief Commissioner of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association, the Chief Commissioners of all NIGHATOBE Member Organisations, the Friends of Africa (Nigeria Chapter), the planning team, and the unwavering vision of Mama Olayinka Olaniyan (Mama Africa), whose initiative nearly three decades ago birthed this enduring partnership.
The NIGHATOBE Camp 2026 was more than a training; a movement toward raising entrepreneurial leaders prepared to shape Africa’s future.
