OIC students completing graduation rites
By Guy-Bruno Maimo
More than 1,000 young people trained in various vocational fields have graduated from the Cameroon Opportunities Industrialisation Centre, COIC, in Buea, with officials urging them to prioritize self-employment, innovation, and ethical conduct as they step into the workforce.
The 26th convocation ceremony, held on April 30, 2026, brought together administrative authorities, traditional leaders, development partners, parents, and other stakeholders. The event underscored the growing importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, in tackling youth unemployment across the country.
Speaking during the ceremony, Programme Director Ephanga Ndive Martin described the graduation as a reflection of “transformation, resilience, and achievement,” emphasizing that the institution’s training goes beyond technical skills to include discipline, entrepreneurship, and character building.
According to him, trainees were drawn from nine departments and underwent competency-based training tailored to meet labour market demands and encourage self-reliance. He challenged the graduates to become job creators and role models within their communities.
Board Chair Cosmas Moki Lifanje highlighted the institution’s inclusive approach, bringing together learners from diverse educational backgrounds into a unified practical training system. He noted that COIC continues to build on the vision of its founder, Leon Sullivan, by transforming trainees into productive contributors to national development.
He also outlined in the graduation pamphlet, the centre’s strategic direction for 2026–2032, built around the theme “Ready to Learn,” aimed at strengthening and expanding vocational training while blending traditional and modern skills development methods.
Representing the Governor of the South West Region, Acha Gilbert Nkwenti praised the institution for its role in empowering young people, describing the graduation as proof of increasing confidence in vocational education. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting TVET as a solution to unemployment and poverty.
Dignitaries at the high table during COIC Buea’s 26th convocation
He urged graduates not to depend solely on white-collar jobs but to use their skills to create opportunities, stressing the importance of discipline, integrity, and sound financial management.
In a separate address, the Regional Delegate of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training described vocational education as a “vaccine against unemployment and poverty,” encouraging graduates to view themselves as valuable economic contributors. He advised them to remain adaptable, innovative, and open to multiple income streams in a rapidly evolving job market.
Training Manager Bobga Wilfred Doh, speaking after the ceremony, stressed the need for graduates to apply their skills practically while upholding professionalism and strong moral values. He expressed confidence that they would contribute meaningfully to society as responsible entrepreneurs and skilled workers.
A representative of the graduating class thanked the institution’s management and instructors for equipping them with practical knowledge, noting that they were leaving better prepared to face real-world challenges.
One of the graduates, Naboh Marie Louise from the Department of Hotel Management, Catering and Tourism, expressed her ambition to pursue a career as a professional chef while continuing her education. The ceremony also featured the awarding of prizes, including cash rewards and gas bottles, to outstanding trainees in recognition of their performance.
Official figures indicate that the 1,043 graduates came from various departments, including Information and Communication Technology, Auto Mechanics and Motor Electricity, Hotel Management, Catering and Tourism, Metal Fabrication, Textile and Fashion Design, Agricultural Science, Building Construction and related trades, Natural Resource Management, and Woodwork. Overall, speakers echoed a common message: skills must be put into practice, integrity must guide actions, and opportunities must be created. With this latest batch of graduates, COIC Buea continues to position itself as a key player in advancing vocational training and youth empowerment in Cameroon.
