The Impact of ENGAUSA GLOBAL TECH HUB’s Local Language-Based Skill Acquisition Programs

On International Literacy Day 2024, themed “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,” it’s crucial to acknowledge the transformative power of education in one’s mother tongue. UNESCO highlights that learning in familiar languages significantly enhances educational outcomes, yet 40% of the global population still lacks access to education in a language they speak or understand. In Africa, 8 in 10 children begin their education in a language different from their home language, posing a significant barrier to literacy.

ENGAUSA GLOBAL TECH HUB, established in Kano, Nigeria, in 2019, is at the forefront of breaking down these barriers. By offering accessible and inclusive technology education and skills development in Hausa—a primary language in Northern Nigeria—ENGAUSA addresses critical educational challenges and promotes digital literacy. Despite initial challenges, such as limited funding and lack of sponsorship for motivated yet underprivileged youth, ENGAUSA has become a beacon of technological advancement, reshaping perceptions about Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

1. Digitalization of TVET and Changing Mindsets

ENGAUSA’s founder, Engr. Mustapha Habu, has redefined the landscape of TVET in Northern Nigeria by challenging stereotypes that equate vocational training with low academic potential or traditional trades. By digitizing TVET and integrating modern, problem-based learning approaches, ENGAUSA has made these programs attractive and accessible to people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating that TVET can be a path to success regardless of gender, age, or socioeconomic status.

The ENGAUSA Skills Development Foundation (ESDF), a non-profit arm of the hub, has been pivotal in raising awareness about digital literacy in both English and Hausa. The Foundation sponsors youths who cannot afford training costs, helping to bridge gaps in access to education. This approach has altered the TVET landscape and fostered a culture of digital literacy in the region.

2. Inclusive Skills Development Programs for Marginalized Groups

ENGAUSA’s inclusive approach extends to marginalized communities, including school dropouts, women, people with disabilities, and residents of hard-to-reach areas. Notably, more than ten Almajiris from a Qur’anic School known as TSANGAYA in Rijiyar Zaki, close to ENGAUSA’s branch office, have transitioned from being perceived as beggars to becoming employers of labor within just a few years. These remarkable transformations were made possible by the accessibility and affordability of ENGAUSA’s innovative skills acquisition programs, delivered in the local Hausa language. By offering courses in familiar languages, ENGAUSA has opened doors for individuals who were previously excluded from traditional education systems.

3. Affordable Training and Mentorship Programs

ENGAUSA offers comprehensive training in essential technical skills, such as smartphone repairs, Solar Installation, CCTV installation, Blogging, Graphics Design, Digital Photography and video editing, for as low as N5,000 per trade area. This affordability has democratized access to quality education, empowering thousands of youths and creating a ripple effect of job creation and economic empowerment. Graduates, such as Ummu Kulthum, Sadiya BK Masa, Usman Ahmad, Nura Hassan, Abdulwahid, and many others including Almajiris from Tsangaya, have gone from trainees to business owners, employing other youths and contributing to their communities.

4. Developing Innovative Solutions and Expanding Reach

ENGAUSA’s innovative spirit is evident in the launch of the ENGAUSA Academy App, which provides skills training in both Hausa and English, breaking down language barriers and making education accessible to a global audience of Hausa speakers. The app is particularly beneficial for women who face restrictions on attending physical training centers due to cultural constraints, furthering ENGAUSA’s commitment to gender inclusivity and digital accessibility. ENGAUSA PowerBank. Rechargeable Lamps and Access control devices are also innovative products designed and manufactured in ENGAUSA FAbLab.

5. Impact on Northern Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Landscape

ENGAUSA’s initiatives have transformed Northern Nigeria by addressing unemployment and the lack of technical skills. The hub’s focus on affordable, high-quality education has empowered over 4,000 trainees, improved digital literacy rates, and fostered a new appreciation for skills over traditional certificates. By equipping marginalized groups, including Almajiris, with valuable skills, ENGAUSA has demonstrated the power of inclusive, mother tongue-based education in building a more equitable and literate society.

Conclusion

As we celebrate International Literacy Day 2024, the work of ENGAUSA GLOBAL TECH HUB serves as an inspiring example of the impact of multilingual and inclusive education. By providing accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant skills training, ENGAUSA is not only breaking barriers to learning but also creating a foundation for social cohesion, mutual understanding, and economic empowerment. The hub’s success is a testament to the transformative power of education in local languages and its role in achieving literacy for all.

Click the link below to watch how Almajiris were transformed into employers and freelancers 👇👇

For more information about ENGAUSA GLOBAL TECH HUB visit our websites:
www.EngausaHub.com.ng