On a bright morning across various locations in Lagos, something extraordinary began to unfold.
The dedicated sweepers of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)—men and women who have spent years keeping our streets clean—stepped into classrooms and workshops instead of their usual routes.
They weren’t there to tidy up this time; they were there to learn.
This was the first phase of Glo Skillbridge, a transformative program powered by the Glo Foundation that set out to give these everyday heroes new tools for their futures.
From bead making to baking, fashion design to digital literacy, these sweepers began a four-week intensive course that could change their lives forever.
The vision for Glo Skillbridge initiative was unveiled recently at a special celebration honouring LAWMA staff.
Glo Foundation recognized that empowering sweepers with additional skills would not only improve their livelihoods but also help them pursue other income streams and close financial gaps. And so, last week, the journey officially began.
Glo Skillbridge: A New Pathway to Empowerment
At dedicated training centers across Lagos, around 150 selected sweepers dived into their lessons with enthusiasm.
The energy was palpable at Yetroslane Fashion Academy in Gbagada, where hands that once wielded brooms now threaded beads into beautiful designs.
Within just three days, some trainees like Amusat Mopelola Airat and Liadi Fatimoh were proudly showing off their first handmade accessories — smiles lighting up their faces.
A similar sense of pride and progress was evident at Bakery Initiatives in Yaba. Mrs. Busari Adebanke Busayo, a LAWMA supervisor also participating in the baking class, could hardly contain her excitement.
“This will be of huge benefit to me and my family,” she said. “I’ve learned how to measure flour for different kinds of baked goods and much more!”
Beyond the Streets and Into the Digital Age
And the learning wasn’t limited to traditional crafts. In Ikorodu, Mr. Williams Oladipupo joined other trainees at ALX Costain to master digital skills.
“This will help me in my personal business and even help me guide my children into coding,” he explained, his hopes for the future visibly bright.
Twenty-two-year-old Miss Udoh Blessing Endurance Francis echoed that same optimism.
“In today’s world, digital literacy is so important. I’m so thankful for this chance to grow,” she said.
A Future Reimagined
The Glo Foundation expressed joy at the progress so far, praising the commitment of trainers and trainees alike. The four-week course will conclude in July, but for these LAWMA sweepers, this is just the beginning.
With every bead threaded, every loaf baked, and every keystroke learned, these hardworking men and women are not just sweeping up after the city—they’re sweeping away the limitations of yesterday and paving their own path toward a more hopeful tomorrow.
