Kaduna State University (KASU) hosted the SPARKLE program, a project aimed at improving the health and development of adolescents and youths in Nigeria. The program, anchored by the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo State, was funded by the Ford Foundation.
The three-day workshop, held from Tuesday, 17th to Thursday, 19th June 2025, at the Department of Community Medicine, KASU, brought together young researchers and academics working in adolescent and youth development. The program aimed to equip participants with the skills needed to make use of existing datasets and conduct high-quality secondary data analysis.
Esteemed facilitators included Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, Prof. Olufemi Ogundele, Prof. Joseph Ayodeji Kupoluyi, Prof. Hauwa’u E. Yusuf, and Prof Adegboyega Oyefabi, Mrs. Gladys Akinbodewa. Upon arrival, the team paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University KASU, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, who welcomed them and pledged support for the program’s success and potential future collaborations.
The workshop addressed pressing issues, including poor understanding of existing datasets, limited access to national datasets, capacity building for secondary data analysis, and research dissemination. By providing a platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building, the SPARKLE program underscores its commitment to advancing youth development through research and evidence-based practices.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session, where the participants engaged with facilitators, asked questions, and provided valuable feedbacks.