By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi
In a landmark event that signaled a bold shift toward economic self-reliance, the Cameroon Opportunities Industrialization Centre (COIC) Buea held its 26th convocation ceremony on April 30, 2026. The ceremony saw 1,043 trainees transition from students to skilled professionals, as the institution issued a clarion call for the youth to abandon the hunt for white-collar jobs in favor of entrepreneurship and innovation.
The graduation, hosted on the heels of the institution’s ruby jubilee, transformed the campus into a vibrant hub of celebration, drawing administrative authorities, traditional rulers, development partners, and proud families. Under the theme of transformation and resilience, the event highlighted the critical role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in tackling the dual challenges of youth unemployment and poverty in Cameroon.
Addressing the massive cohort, the Board Chair of COIC Buea, Barrister Cosmas Moki Lifanje, underscored the institution’s unique educational philosophy. COIC operates an inclusive model where trainees from vastly different academic backgrounds ranging from First School Leaving Certificate holders to university graduates train side-by-side in a shared practical environment. “Through this inclusive system, they receive both theoretical and practical instruction and graduate with common, practical, and employable skills,” Barr Lifanje stated. He emphasised that the center’s primary goal remains the legacy of Leon Sullivan: transforming individuals from “liabilities into assets” for the nation.
Looking toward the future, the Board Chair unveiled a strategic vision for 2026–2032 anchored on the concept “Ready to Learn,” which aims to modernize TVET delivery and expand opportunities for women and vulnerable groups.
Representing the Governor of the South West Region, Acha Gilbert Nkwenti delivered a powerful charge to the graduates. Commending the institution for its contribution to youth empowerment, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to vocational education as a pillar of national stability. “Do not wait for white-collar jobs, use your skills to create opportunities,” Nkwenti urged, stressing the importance of discipline and responsible financial behaviour. This sentiment was echoed by the Regional Delegate of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP), who advised graduates that in a shifting global economy, adaptability and the creation of multiple income streams are no longer optional, but essential.
The 1,043 graduates represented a wide spectrum of the technical labour market, drawn from nine specialised departments: Hotel Management, Catering and Tourism: 483 graduates, Building Construction, Plumbing, Electricity and Draughtsmanship: 130 graduates, Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (PSMNR): 120 graduates, Auto Mechanics and Motor Electricity: 104 graduates, Metal Fabrication, Welding and Spraying: 99 graduates, Textile and Fashion Design: 45 graduates, ICT: 38 graduates, Agricultural Science and Woodwork: 12 graduates.
Training Manager, Bobga Wilfred Doh emphasised that the certificate is only the beginning. “We expect them to put into practice everything they have learned and to behave as responsible professionals and job creators,” he said.
For many graduates, the day was the culmination of years of hard work across the 2022, 2023, and March 2024 vocational cycles. Naboh Marie Louise, a graduate from the Department of Hotel Management, Catering and Tourism, expressed her ambition to become a professional chef while continuing her education. “I feel so grateful to God for this journey. I want to continue learning and share my skills with the world,” she shared.
The ceremony concluded with the award of prizes, including cash gifts and gas bottles to the most outstanding trainees, a practical boost for those ready to launch their own businesses immediately.
As these 1,000+ newly minted technicians enter the workforce, COIC Buea has once again cemented its reputation as a vital engine for economic growth in Cameroon. The message to the graduates was clear: they are no longer just job seekers, but the primary architects of the nation’s industrial future.