FCT Partners VANDO to Guide Secondary School Leavers on Career Path

The Education Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory has entered into a partnership with VANDO Global Limited to support secondary school leavers in making better career choices through the Purpose to Career (P2C) programme.

The initiative is aimed at equipping young graduates with practical tools for self-discovery, career awareness, and life direction, especially at a time when youth unemployment continues to rise across the country.

Speaking at the programme held in Abuja, the Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, Fatima Baba, said the intervention would complement formal education by providing students with deeper understanding of their strengths and career paths.

She was represented by the Director of Guidance and Counselling, Blessing Akachukwu, who explained that the Purpose to Career initiative is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world career decision-making. According to her, the programme will help students gain self-awareness and access tools that formal schooling alone may not fully provide.

She also expressed appreciation to VANDO Global Limited and the Maxwell Leadership Team for collaborating with the education board to support students’ development and well-being.

The Managing Director of VANDO Global Limited, Ogomegbunam Anagwu, explained that Nigeria’s youthful population presents a major advantage, noting that more than 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25. She emphasized that the challenge is not potential, but helping young people understand themselves and their purpose early enough to make informed career decisions.

She further explained that the P2C programme is a structured system of self-discovery and career intelligence designed to move students from curiosity about themselves to clarity about their future career direction. Participants are also expected to complete a 30-day action plan that demonstrates their commitment to personal growth and career exploration.

At Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, Principal Josephine Ugwu welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful for students. She noted that understanding one’s purpose is essential for making meaningful life decisions and avoiding confusion about future goals.

One of the students, Haajarah Musa, a Senior Secondary School 2 learner, shared that the programme helped her better understand how to identify her career interests and work towards her goals with clearer direction.

The partnership reflects growing efforts to strengthen career guidance systems in schools and prepare students for life beyond the classroom through structured mentorship and self-development programmes.