In a bold move to tackle youth unemployment and drive industrial development, the Federal Government has launched a comprehensive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative aimed at building a globally competitive, skilled workforce.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, declared that the TVET initiative represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s economic renewal.
“Technical skills built Germany’s economy 500 years ago, and they remain Europe’s industrial powerhouse. We can do the same in Nigeria,” Dr. Alausa affirmed.
He revealed that the programme includes a structured three-year technical track, to be implemented through federal and state institutions, alongside a 6-month and 12-month pathway for older trainees. Graduates will earn multi-level certifications, including those from NABTEB and relevant sectoral awarding bodies.
To ensure quality delivery and scalability, the programme will involve accredited private institutions and experienced artisans as training centres. Artisans mentoring apprentices will receive ₦30,000 monthly per student, while trainees will get ₦22,500 monthly stipends, plus starter packs to begin work in their trades—ranging from plumbing and carpentry to electrical work and ICT.
Dr. Alausa further announced the use of NIN verification and geofencing technology to ensure transparency in attendance and performance tracking, with the NELFUND platform handling payments and programme operations. In partnership with the Bank of Industry, the initiative will also offer soft loans and entrepreneurial support.
“Our aim is not just to train but to transform. This is about building a skilled, self-sustaining, and entrepreneurial Nigeria,” the Minister added.
In her remarks, Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described TVET as “the backbone of national progress.”
“From farmers to nurses, from technicians to engineers, skills are the foundation for a resilient Nigeria. Through this initiative, we aim to turn quiet struggles into visible progress. This is not just about training; it is about hope, dignity, and building the Nigeria we believe in,” she stated.
She mentioned the upcoming Luminah 2030 programme, which will empower one million mothers and girls with life-changing skills, aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodeji Olawande, praised the TVET drive as a “bold and timely step” toward addressing unemployment and unlocking youth potential.
Represented at the event, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, pledged full collaboration to align employment policies with vocational outcomes.
Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, commended the inclusive approach, stressing the importance of grassroots implementation and sustainability. He noted that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring the programme delivers long-term socio-economic benefits.
Also speaking, Professor Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), reiterated that TVET must remain under the Ministry of Education for coherence and sustainability. He highlighted the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) as a globally aligned standard that links training to real market needs.
Renowned automotive expert and Nigeria’s first female mechanic, Sandra Aguebor, delivered a passionate call to action for more training in automotive manufacturing and repair, underscoring the urgent need to grow the skilled workforce in emerging technical fields.
The event ended with a resounding call from all stakeholders to unite around the vision of using education as a catalyst for job creation, national resilience, and economic transformation.
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