Four New Trainers Graduate from ILO-SIYB Training of Trainers Programme
By Admin, Lagos
Four new certified trainers have successfully completed the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) Training of Trainers (TOT) programme, an intensive 10-day virtual workshop aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship development and small business support across Nigeria and beyond.
The programme, held from April 7 to April 20, 2026, was facilitated by ILO-SIYB Master Trainer, Kemisola Rosamond T’Oluwanimi, and equipped participants with practical skills to train, mentor, and support aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
The newly qualified trainers are Henrietta Nwakaego Okoya, Toyin Olayinka Odobo, Omolanke Larry-Omojola, and Dr. Lynda Doofan Ityav.
The SIYB programme promotes profitable entrepreneurship, income generation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth by enabling enterprise development organisations to independently deliver entrepreneurship training and support business owners.
Speaking at the virtual closing ceremony, Mrs. Bolanle Edwards, Vice President of the NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) congratulated the participants and described the programme as a transformative learning journey.
”This programme is a journey of learning, unlearning and relearning. Having completed the theoretical phase, the trainers must now move into practical application and ensure they walk the talk in supporting entrepreneurs,” she said.
Recalling her participation in the SIYB programme in 2007, Edwards said the training laid the foundation for the growth and sustainability of her business.
”The Start Your Business training helped shape my business and continues to influence how I operate today,” she added.
Also speaking, Mrs. Folakemi Fatade, Deputy Coordinator of the NNEW Entrepreneurship Academy described the graduates as achievers and urged them to uphold the programme’s standards.
She said the SIYB follow-up system ensures continuous support for entrepreneurs and encouraged the trainers to remain consistent as facilitators, mentors and business development partners, noting that SMEs depend on quality guidance to build sustainable businesses.
Dr. Obiageli Nwobi, CEO of HR & Allied Resources, urged the graduates to embrace their new role as business development service providers by supporting entrepreneurs beyond the classroom.
”ILO expects trainers not only to train entrepreneurs but also to support and guide them. Your network is your net worth, and collaboration will help you achieve greater impact,” she said.
She noted that the SIYB initiative was established over three decades ago to address unemployment by empowering trainers who would, in turn, strengthen entrepreneurs and contribute to economic growth, while commending Master Trainer Kemisola T’Oluwanimi for her dedication.
Broadcast journalist and entrepreneur Jumoke Alawode-James encouraged the graduates to prioritise value creation, mentorship and collaboration.
”Businesses that add value are sustainable because money follows value. As trainers, you carry the responsibility of giving entrepreneurs hope and helping them navigate the realities of the business environment,” she said.
Participants described the programme as practical, rigorous and transformational saying it provided them with the confidence, skills and structured framework needed to train entrepreneurs effectively and support profitable business growth.
They also praised the Master Trainer for her professionalism, energy and commitment throughout the workshop.
The ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme is one of the world’s leading entrepreneurship training initiatives.
It equips trainers with internationally recognised methodologies for training, mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs, while contributing to enterprise development, job creation and sustainable economic growth.