Awesome Empowerment Foundation (AEF) has completed its skills acquisition programme for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs), with the graduation of the pioneer cohort of its Fortitude Empowerment Scheme (FES) slated for Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in Lagos.
The scheme, which is the foundation’s flagship empowerment programme, trained 120 participants in fashion design and tailoring, culinary arts and baking, with hairdressing and barbing being explored as additional vocational areas.
Of the total number trained, 85 per cent were women, 15 per cent men, while 10 per cent were persons with disabilities, in line with the foundation’s inclusive recruitment model targeting men and women aged 18 and above.
Beyond technical training, beneficiaries received entrepreneurship, digital skills, packaging, social media management and business development training, coupled with three months of mentoring and business set-up support to help them establish and manage their enterprises.
The foundation said its work is driven by the conviction that everyone deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential regardless of personal circumstances or perceived imperfections.
Chief Executive Officer of AEF, Dr. Tola Bamigbaiye, said the graduates had demonstrated resilience and tenacity.
“Nothing is stopping you from being resilient, tenacious and authentic except yourself. Every graduate in this cohort has already shown what happens when you choose to keep going. The skills are yours now. So is the decision to use them,” she said.
AEF also runs Imperfectly Awesome Conversations (IAC), a platform that encourages authenticity, resilience and confidence-building, while FES provides the practical pathway for participants to convert inspiration into sustainable livelihoods.
The programme was delivered in partnership with public, private and social sector partners including HBM, Kerrygold Milk, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), LASRO, Dotts Media, Alpha and Jam, and PKF.
In the last one year, the foundation executed three projects — the fourth edition of IAC with over 350 participants and two cohorts of basic fashion and culinary training.
The foundation said it remains committed to promoting education, skills development and inclusion under its guiding message, “Empowering People. Transforming Communities.”
