OPL ACADEMY EMPOWERS 800 GRADUATES ACROSS LAGOS STATE
Nearly three million Nigerians wake up each day, tools in hand, building the infrastructure that powers Africa's largest economy. They wire homes, weld frameworks, and lay foundations. Yet despite their hands shaping almost 10% of Nigeria's GDP, most remain nameless in official data, skilled but invisible, talented but overlooked. That narrative is changing, one graduate at a time.
On Thursday, 2nd of October, 2025 in Ikeja, Lagos, nearly 800 construction technicians received more than certificates at the OPL Academy graduation ceremony. They received visibility. Recognition. And most importantly, the professional skills to make thriving careers out of their technical expertise. With this milestone, they join a growing community of more than 4,000 technicians trained by OPL Academy till date.
Oare Ehiemua presenting awards to student of OPL Academy.
When Poetry Meets Purpose
One Precious Life (OPL) Academy's name draws inspiration from poet Mary Oliver's question: "What do you plan to do with your one precious life?", a philosophy Oare Ehiemua says drives OPL's mission to help students achieve their highest potential. As CEO of OPL Academy, she saw what others missed: a construction industry brimming with skilled artisans who could rewire entire buildings but struggled to navigate job interviews.
"The construction industry is powered predominantly by blue-collar workers, yet very few are visible," explained Ehiemua. "The majority work informally, unaccounted in data, while remaining disconnected from opportunities that are rightfully theirs. OPL exists to prepare these artisans with the professional skills that unlock access to opportunities."
This year, through partnerships with Praxis, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Ministry of Tertiary Education (MTE), OPL Academy was able to partner with six public schools to facilitate a 7-day intensive training programme for final year students studying construction trades in areas such as communication, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, critical thinking & problem solving, leadership & ethics, personal grooming & drug abuse, customer service, resume writing & interviewing; soft skills rarely taught in technical colleges and tertiary institutions but essential for career advancement.
Beyond the Hard Hat
Graduates attended the ceremony from Lagos State University (LASU), Epe campus, and the 5 Government technical colleges in Lagos located in Agidingbi, Epe, Ikorodu, Ikotun, and Adosoba. They entered OPL's training program as technicians in welding, plumbing, electrical installation, blocklaying, furniture tech, HVAC systems, mechanical engineering, and electrical/electronic engineering. They came out as complete professionals.
During the graduation ceremony, Mrs. Ronke Azeez, Executive Secretary at LASTVEB, urged graduates to embrace technology in construction. "Understanding customer interaction and committing to lifelong learning are non-negotiable for thriving in today's construction industry," she said.
Mr. Kasali Adeniran, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tertiary Education, reinforced the programme's strategic importance. "We're in an era of creativity and innovation. We need to improve the quality of graduates we produce, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to societal development."
Industry experts also shared insights during a panel discussion: AI specialist John Orakwe discussed automation's role in construction, Oluwanifemi Ibijoju revealed insider recruitment strategies to give graduates a competitive edge and Engineer Tomide Akinnawo from COREN outlined professional standards that could elevate careers from informal gigs to regulated excellence.
From Training to Employment
At the end of the graduation ceremony, OPL organized a job fair, where graduates showcased digital portfolios to various employers including Sunfi, OCTO5, Fixit Multiconcept Limited, Knight Frank, Precise Lighting, Monterossa, and Etiwa-Tech.
With this latest cohort, OPL Academy continues positioning Nigeria's technical workforce for formal sector opportunities in an increasingly competitive, technology-driven industry.
OPL Academy Graduates at the 2025 Job fair.
