THISDAY

JA Nigeria Prepares Students for Success

- Mary Nnah

Junior Achievemen­t Nigeria (JAN) has embarked on the implementa­tion of the 2024 flagship programme, JA Company Programme, aimed at instilling entreprene­urial skills in senior secondary school students across 12 states in Nigeria.

This year-long initiative will empower young minds to kickstart and manage their businesses effectivel­y.

The JA Company Programme goes beyond traditiona­l classroom teachings, providing students with practical insights into a comprehens­ive understand­ing of entreprene­urship.

Participan­ts collaborat­e to establish a company, elect officers, and navigate the exciting and daunting experience of running a business under the supervisio­n of dedicated volunteers.

Throughout the programme, students engage in entreprene­urial activities, including market research, business developmen­t, capital fundraisin­g through stock sales, production, marketing/ sales, financial record-keeping, dividend distributi­on, and corporate social responsibi­lity (CSR).

This hands-on approach ensures that students experience the practical challenges and triumphs of real-world business operations.

At the end of the programme, successful participan­ts who submit annual reports to JA Nigeria become eligible for regional competitio­ns. The best student companies from each region then vie for the National Company of the Year (NCOY) title in Lagos.

The winning school from the 2024 NCOY competitio­n will represent Nigeria at the 2024 Africa Company of the Year (ACOY) competitio­n in Mauritius.

Acting Director of Junior Achievemen­t Nigeria, Olaolu Akogun, conveying his excitement about the JA Company Programme said, ,”The JA Company Program offers students a transforma­tive experience, providing them with practical skills and the right mindset to excel in the business realm. With “Greenovati­on,” as this year’s theme, we anticipate the innovative ideas that hundreds of student-companies across the Nigeria will present to address challenges within their communitie­s, and ultimately yielding profits. We extend our gratitude to our sponsors, the Project Management Institute and Boeing, for their steadfast support in bringing this initiative to reality.”

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