By Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta

JALINGO, TARABA STATE — The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has relaunched its Technical Training Programme in Jalingo, Taraba State, more than two decades after the initiative was suspended, with 78 young Nigerians graduating from its first revived training cycle.

The graduates, trained in electrical installation and welding fabrication, each received a ₦100,000 start-up grant to help them establish businesses and begin their journey toward economic independence.

The graduation ceremony, held on July 1, marked a significant milestone in the church’s renewed focus on youth empowerment, vocational education and community development.

The programme was relaunched under the leadership of Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, leader of the United Methodist Church’s Nigeria Episcopal Area, which also covers Cameroon and Senegal. Emmanuel has placed youth economic empowerment at the centre of the church’s mission, arguing that the church’s responsibility extends beyond spiritual development to equipping young people with practical means of livelihood.

«“It is not just about earning certificates, but about gaining the capacity to build homes, industries, communities and the nation’s future,” Emmanuel said.»

A Programme With Deep Roots in Taraba

The Technical Training Programme dates back to 1991, when it was established in Zing, Taraba State, through the initiative of missionary Uwe Buctwiz, with support from the German Mission Board.

The programme was conceived as a holistic mission initiative designed to confront unemployment and poverty by equipping young Nigerians with technical, business and entrepreneurial skills.

For more than a decade, it trained young people in various technical trades while also exposing them to business management and financial responsibility. The initiative, however, gradually declined because of administrative difficulties and other challenges before eventually ceasing operations in 2005.

In 2025, Bishop Emmanuel revived the programme, appointing Rev. John Ayuba Gwagwe, one of its founding staff members, as principal, with Henry Ngai serving as director.

The renewed programme combines six months of classroom-based training with two months of practical, on-the-job experience.

From Job Seekers to Job Creators

The church says the objective is not simply to produce graduates but to create a generation of skilled young Nigerians capable of becoming entrepreneurs and employers.

Emmanuel urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate excellence, integrity, discipline, innovation and a spirit of service.

He described economic empowerment as an important component of the church’s broader mission of restoring human dignity.

The programme’s leadership is already considering expanding training beyond electrical installation and welding to areas including carpentry and furniture making, tiling and floor finishing, auto mechanics, catering and hospitality, event management, mobile phone repairs, ceiling installation and interior finishing.

Plans also include incorporating entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital skills, Christian leadership and business management into the programme.

₦35 Million Modernisation Plan

To support the expansion, the United Methodist Church has approved a ₦35 million contract for the renovation and modernisation of the technical training centre.

The proposed improvements include renovation of student accommodation, modernisation of classrooms, workshops and laboratories, procurement of modern equipment, and improvements to electricity, water, sanitation, security and technology infrastructure.

The investment signals an attempt to transform the programme from a revived vocational initiative into a broader skills-development platform capable of responding to Nigeria’s youth unemployment and economic challenges.

Graduates Express Appreciation

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Anita Augustine, class delegate for the Electrical and Electronics Department, thanked the bishop and church leadership for creating an opportunity for young people to acquire practical skills and pursue economic independence.

Graduate Samson Weldon, who trained in welding and fabrication, described the opportunity as a privilege that had equipped him with valuable vocational skills and encouraged him to become a productive member of society.

The graduation ceremony also featured a communion service to give thanks for the revival of the programme, with church leaders describing the development as a sign of renewal and a potential source of hope for young Nigerians.

NewsNexus Analysis

The revival of the United Methodist Technical Training Programme comes at a time when skills development, entrepreneurship and youth employment remain critical issues in Nigeria.

Beyond the immediate benefit to the 78 graduates, the programme’s significance lies in its attempt to connect vocational training with start-up financing, entrepreneurship and practical work experience.

The ₦100,000 grant per graduate may be modest relative to the cost of establishing a modern technical enterprise, but when combined with vocational training and mentorship, it provides a foundation upon which beneficiaries can begin building small businesses.

The planned expansion into digital skills, mechanics, hospitality, carpentry and other trades could also broaden the programme’s economic impact if sustained funding, modern equipment and strong industry partnerships are secured.

For Taraba State, where expanding employment opportunities for young people remains an important development challenge, the revival of a long-standing technical training institution in Jalingo could provide a useful model for combining faith-based social intervention with practical economic empowerment.

The United Methodist Church says its ultimate goal is to produce young people who are self-sufficient and independent rather than merely job seekers.

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