Skooqs

Skooqs Creative Limited

Skooqs

Empowering underserved African youth with digital, vocational and entrepreneurial skills through an accessible, blended learning platform.

Lagos, Nigeria

NGA

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

Skooqs is solving the problem of limited access to relevant, skills-based education for African youth, particularly those in underserved and low-income communities. In Nigeria and across much of Africa, millions of students leave secondary school without access to quality post-secondary education or vocational training, leaving them unprepared for employment or entrepreneurship. According to the World Bank, over 50% of youth in sub-Saharan Africa are either unemployed or underemployed, and UNESCO (2023) reports that only 9% of African youth enroll in tertiary education, compared to a global average of 38%. Additionally, the digital skills gap is widening: less than 20% of African youth have access to digital literacy training, despite digital and entrepreneurial skills becoming essential for future work (Mastercard Foundation, 2022). The key factors contributing to this problem include: - Inadequate infrastructure and internet access. - Outdated or inaccessible curriculum content. - Shortage of trained educators and career mentors. - High cost of higher education and training programs. Skooqs addresses these challenges through a blended learning model that delivers practical, accessible, and job-ready training—bridging the gap between education and employability.

Skooqs bridges the gap between education and employment by offering affordable, skill-based programs in technology, entrepreneurship, and vocational training. With on-site and virtual learning options, and a residential hostel, we ensure inclusive access for all. Students gain hands-on experience through internships and mentorships, preparing them for real-world opportunities. Skooqs is a blended learning platform that equips African youth especially post-secondary students and underserved learners with practical digital, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills to succeed in today’s workforce. We offer both on-site training at our physical Skill Institute (Skooqs City) and digital access through our online learning platform, allowing learners to choose between self-paced or instructor-led programs based on their needs. The platform features structured courses in areas such as digital literacy, website design, content creation, and small business development. Demo Video: https://youtu.be/Ah4Eq1-qsY4

Skooqs directly serves young Africans aged 15–30, particularly post-secondary students, school leavers, and out-of-school youth from underserved and low-income communities. Many of them are unable to access higher education due to age restrictions, financial limitations, or institutional capacity gaps, leaving them in a critical transition phase with few options for meaningful skill development. These young people are underserved in three major ways: - Lack of access to affordable, relevant training. - Limited exposure to digital and entrepreneurial skills. - Few pathways to employment or self-reliance. Our solution provides accessible, job-focused learning through a blend of digital and in-person training. Participants gain practical skills in digital literacy, creative technology, business development, and communication. We complement this with mentorship, career support, and internship opportunities that bridge the gap between learning and earning. By addressing both educational inequality and the skills-to-employment gap, Skooqs helps youth build confidence, gain independence, and unlock income-generating opportunities ultimately transforming their lives and communities.