Teens living in military barracks in Kaduna are spending their holiday break learning cool new skills, thanks to a new partnership between the Nigerian Defence Academy Officers Wives Association (NDAOWA) and a tech group called Beyond Barracks Code.
The four-week training programme, launched at the end of July, is designed to help young people, as well as widows and wives of soldiers, learn digital and vocational skills like web design, cybersecurity, knitting, and making handbags.
They’ll also pick up lessons in entrepreneurship, money management, and patriotism.
Speaking at the launch, NDAOWA Coordinator Mrs. Halima Yahaya Ibrahim said the goal was to help children stay busy in a fun and meaningful way during the long school break.
“We want to raise children who have both skills and strong character. And we want to change the negative stories often told about barracks kids.” She said.
The tech trainers come from Beyond Barracks Code—a group of IT professionals who grew up in the barracks and are now giving back. Their team lead, Mohammed Usman Thompson, said digital skills are no longer optional.
“This is the digital age,” he said. “We want teens to be ready for the future.”
Thompson added that standout students will have a chance to intern with tech companies and innovation hubs after the programme.
One excited participant, Teeman Udom, shared: “I’ve always wanted to learn cybersecurity. This is a big step for me.”
By the end of the four weeks, many teens are expected to walk away not just with new skills—but with a new sense of purpose and pride.
