The Society for Family Health has completed the first phase of its Adolescent 360 Health and Economic Empowerment Project (A360-HEEP), providing more than 160 adolescent girls with essential health education and hands-on economic skills to strengthen their confidence and independence. Established in 1985, the Society for Family Health is among Nigeria’s largest NGOs focused on public health and development. In a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday, SFH said the initiative targets young girls in underserved communities and combines mental health education with vocational training in areas such as small chops preparation, yoghurt production, skincare products, and soap making. The organisation noted that the programme is designed to close the gap between knowledge and opportunity, helping participants protect their health while earning an income. “Adolescence is a crucial stage of life, and for many young girls, having the right knowledge, confidence, and skills can be the difference between missed opportunities and a brighter future. “In Emuoha LGA, participants were trained in small chops preparation; in ONELGA LGA, they learned how to make fruit yoghurt and parfait; in Ahaoda West LGA, the focus was on skincare products, including oil perfumes and pomade; while in Ahaoda East LGA, the girls were taught liquid soap production,” the SFH statement said in part. The statement also quoted 17-year-old Grace from Rumuji, who expressed her enthusiasm: “Today I learned how to care for my mind and how to make small chops that I can even sell. It makes me feel hopeful.” The organisers stressed that the initiative wasn’t just about finishing a training session, but about building a foundation that would create lasting change in the girls’ lives. “This milestone signifies more than the conclusion of a training phase; it marks the start of increased confidence, new abilities, and fresh opportunities for the participants. “With the first cohort wrapping up, A360 HEEP is celebrating the progress of these young girls and is eager to reach even more adolescents in future groups.” The A360-HEEP project builds on the broader Adolescent 360 initiative, which has been implemented in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, combining reproductive health education with economic empowerment to reduce vulnerability among adolescent girls. In a similar effort in 2023, SFH, through its A360 programme, empowered 853 girls aged 15 to 19 in the Atan, Etere, and Otun communities of Adodo-Otun LGA in Ogun State. That training covered sexual and reproductive health as well as economic empowerment strategies, with the aim of strengthening the girls’ independence and decision-making power. Also in May 2023, under the Adolescent 360–TotalEnergies Health & Economic Empowerment Project (A-360 THEEP), SFH trained 35 girls from Ado-Odo/Ota LGA in Ogun State. They completed a rigorous six-month training in catering and fashion design, and were provided starter packs afterward to help them launch their careers.