How Favour Babarinde Used Her Negotiation Skills to Double Her Salary After the WAVE Training

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After completing her secondary education, Favour Babarinde found herself at home, eager to continue developing herself while awaiting admission to university. It was during this period that a friend at the Mushin Youth Hub introduced her to the WAVE training in partnership with TEENSMATA, (An NGO supported by USAID that seeks to improve adolescent health and well-being by providing safe spaces). 

"I joined the WAVE Teensmata training in Mushin in May. I learned a lot of skills that I now apply to my new job," Favour enthusiastically recalls, emphasizing the role the training played in shaping her professional experience.

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Facilitated through the Mushin Youth Hub, the program equipped Favour with essential soft skills, including effective communication and emotional intelligence.

"My training experience was interesting. I learned how to write a CV and how to communicate with customers. I applied these skills during my job shadow and in my current role," Favour reflects.

The impact of the training became evident when Favour successfully negotiated a higher salary for her first job. Using her WAVE training certificate, she confidently approached her employer and negotiated for double the initial offer. "The negotiation skills were what helped me increase my salary," Favour proudly states.

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In her role at a local bakery, Favour faces diverse customer interactions daily, and the acquired emotional intelligence continues to help her in navigating the challenges of customer-facing roles. "I bring my notes to work and continue reading through them. I have had situations where I had to practice the skills I learned," Favour shares, discussing how she has applied skills like emotional intelligence on the job.

The program not only influenced Favour's employment prospects but also instilled in her the confidence to pursue higher education. "Although I intend to continue with my education, I am grateful to have work experience that will be useful in the future," she states, recognizing the benefits of both vocational training and formal education.

In Favour's own words, "I wanted to do something with my time while waiting to get into school. It is also a relief for my dad, as now I can earn some money to meet my needs." she states

Favour's story is a testament to the transformative power of vocational education and soft skills training, paving the way for a brighter future for young individuals in Lagos and beyond.