[Nigeria] SeamlessHR launches mentorship program to bridge skills gap in Africa

In Nigeria, SeamlessforGood - the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of HR and payroll technology provider SeamlessHR - has officially launched its Codeable Mentorship Programme. The move is intended to bridge skill gaps across Africa, Vanguard reports.

The Codeable initiative is dedicated to equipping marginalised communities, including inmates and disabled individuals, with guidance and self-improvement skills for the digital age. The launch event was held in Lagos

Deji Lana - CTO and Co-Founder of SeamlessHR - reportedly announced that the 6-month Codeable Mentorship Programme will pair 30 seasoned industry mentors with 76 mentees from underserved communities, providing tailored guidance to foster in-demand technical skills, professional growth, and employability in a competitive job market.

“The Codeable Mentorship Programme transcends mere technical training; it serves as a vital pathway to economic participation and social inclusion for individuals historically sidelined,” Mr Lana said.

“By delivering targeted career development, technical training, and personal branding support, we empower participants, including those with disabilities and individuals recently released from incarceration, to flourish in today’s digital economy. This mentorship initiative aims to cultivate resilient individuals poised for sustainable, meaningful employment and personal growth.”

Commenting on the initiative, Adetoun Akinsunmi - Programme Director of Codeable - said, “The launch event also marked the culmination of the third cohort of the Codeable Training Programme, organized in collaboration with the Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) and Special Olympics.

“This partnership has expanded Codeable’s outreach to encompass individuals with disabilities and those who have been incarcerated, providing vital skills to some of the most underserved populations.

“We believe that technology is not just a tool, but a gateway to full participation in society and the economy.

“Through Codeable, we’re bridging critical gaps in tech education while fostering a culture of genuine inclusion. Our unwavering mission is to empower all young people, regardless of their background, with the digital skills essential for success in today’s interconnected world.

“We have structured mentorship that has been paired with students. They will have group mentorship, one-on-one, weekly check-ins for the next six months and we are assured that at the end of the programme, they would be better professionals and would have found job placements.

“One of our challenges is partnership with organizations. Some of the organizations are not forthcoming because it is not everybody that is passionate about our vision and mission.

“We have taught our students coding, product management, and product design.”

Joke Aladesanmi - founder and Executive Director of CELSIR - reportedly said that one reason her organisation is partnering with SeamlessHR is the huge rehabilitation gap in the Nigerian justice system.

“This is the first time; we will have an organization like SeamlessHR considering the need to empower justice-impaired persons. These people are considered the most marginalized and underserved community because, from society, they experience stigmatization and rejection”, she said.

“Statistics show that over 95 per cent of incarcerated persons come to the society. The question is, how prepared are they or how will they adjust when they come to the society. Regardless of the intervention, there is still a high rate of people going back to prison.

“Empowering justice-impacted persons would help them overcome some of the major challenges of post-incarceration, re-entry and help them to be better people who can contribute to the society productively.

“To everyone who is at the constant stage of hopelessness, I would advise that you look out for opportunities and take advantage of them. Be open to opportunities and leverage on opportunities and become the best of yourself”, Ms Aladesanmi said.

Certificates of achievement were reportedly awarded to 26 graduates at the launch event, recognising their hard work and dedication.

Source: Vanguard

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Nigeria, SeamlessforGood - the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of HR and payroll technology provider SeamlessHR - has officially launched its Codeable Mentorship Programme. The move is intended to bridge skill gaps across Africa, Vanguard reports.

The Codeable initiative is dedicated to equipping marginalised communities, including inmates and disabled individuals, with guidance and self-improvement skills for the digital age. The launch event was held in Lagos

Deji Lana - CTO and Co-Founder of SeamlessHR - reportedly announced that the 6-month Codeable Mentorship Programme will pair 30 seasoned industry mentors with 76 mentees from underserved communities, providing tailored guidance to foster in-demand technical skills, professional growth, and employability in a competitive job market.

“The Codeable Mentorship Programme transcends mere technical training; it serves as a vital pathway to economic participation and social inclusion for individuals historically sidelined,” Mr Lana said.

“By delivering targeted career development, technical training, and personal branding support, we empower participants, including those with disabilities and individuals recently released from incarceration, to flourish in today’s digital economy. This mentorship initiative aims to cultivate resilient individuals poised for sustainable, meaningful employment and personal growth.”

Commenting on the initiative, Adetoun Akinsunmi - Programme Director of Codeable - said, “The launch event also marked the culmination of the third cohort of the Codeable Training Programme, organized in collaboration with the Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) and Special Olympics.

“This partnership has expanded Codeable’s outreach to encompass individuals with disabilities and those who have been incarcerated, providing vital skills to some of the most underserved populations.

“We believe that technology is not just a tool, but a gateway to full participation in society and the economy.

“Through Codeable, we’re bridging critical gaps in tech education while fostering a culture of genuine inclusion. Our unwavering mission is to empower all young people, regardless of their background, with the digital skills essential for success in today’s interconnected world.

“We have structured mentorship that has been paired with students. They will have group mentorship, one-on-one, weekly check-ins for the next six months and we are assured that at the end of the programme, they would be better professionals and would have found job placements.

“One of our challenges is partnership with organizations. Some of the organizations are not forthcoming because it is not everybody that is passionate about our vision and mission.

“We have taught our students coding, product management, and product design.”

Joke Aladesanmi - founder and Executive Director of CELSIR - reportedly said that one reason her organisation is partnering with SeamlessHR is the huge rehabilitation gap in the Nigerian justice system.

“This is the first time; we will have an organization like SeamlessHR considering the need to empower justice-impaired persons. These people are considered the most marginalized and underserved community because, from society, they experience stigmatization and rejection”, she said.

“Statistics show that over 95 per cent of incarcerated persons come to the society. The question is, how prepared are they or how will they adjust when they come to the society. Regardless of the intervention, there is still a high rate of people going back to prison.

“Empowering justice-impacted persons would help them overcome some of the major challenges of post-incarceration, re-entry and help them to be better people who can contribute to the society productively.

“To everyone who is at the constant stage of hopelessness, I would advise that you look out for opportunities and take advantage of them. Be open to opportunities and leverage on opportunities and become the best of yourself”, Ms Aladesanmi said.

Certificates of achievement were reportedly awarded to 26 graduates at the launch event, recognising their hard work and dedication.

Source: Vanguard

(Quotes via original reporting)