The Federal Government has announced plans to train no fewer than five million Nigerian youths in industry-relevant, entrepreneurial, and income-generating skills over the coming years.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the live press launch of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Initiative in Abuja.
“This is not a projection; it is a mission backed by strategic investments, implementation frameworks, and multiple partnerships,” Alausa said.
The portal for TVET applications will open, allowing Nigerian youths to enroll for free training in high-demand skills such as coding, cloud computing, and data analytics.
Alausa revealed that 25 trade categories had been developed across sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, construction, agriculture, the creative industry, and the automotive industry.
He explained that the initiative was based on comprehensive labour market analysis and consultations with industry stakeholders.
“The reform is designed to be inclusive, decentralized, and collaborative.
”We have already engaged state governors, commissioners of education, sector skills councils, regulatory agencies, employers, and development partners to build ownership at every level,” the minister stated.
Drawing comparisons with global success stories, Alausa noted that countries like Germany, South Korea, Singapore, and China had long established TVET as the foundation of industrial growth.
“This is not a reinvention. We’re doing what the world’s most successful economies have already done. Technical skills built Germany’s economy 500 years ago, and they remain the industrial powerhouse of Europe today,” he said.
Alausa highlighted a three-year technical programme, which would be delivered through both state and federal institutions, offering multi-level certifications.
Accredited private institutions and skilled artisans will also serve as training centers to ensure scalability and quality delivery.
“Artisans involved in the training will be incentivized with N30,000 per student per month to mentor apprentices, helping to create a self-sustaining ecosystem of mentorship and job creation.
”Graduates will receive starter kits tailored to their specific trades, tools for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and others, to help them begin work immediately,” he said.
“‘The initiative will also include soft loans and entrepreneurial support through partnerships with the Bank of Industry, empowering graduates to start their own businesses.
“Whether they want to work for someone or build something of their own, we’re backing them every step of the way. This is how we create jobs and wealth,” Alausa said.
”To ensure transparency and accountability, the government will deploy geofencing technology and National Identity Number (NIN) verification to monitor student attendance and performance.
”The NELFUND platform will be used to disburse stipends, pay training centers, and manage the program’s operations,” he added .
