The Federal Government has launched a capacity-building initiative for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) instructors in partnership with the Institute of Technical Education Services, Singapore, as part of efforts to improve the quality of technical education in Nigeria.
The 10-day programme, titled “Train the Trainers (Pedagogy & Assessment) Programme,” is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Singaporean institution.
The training is being conducted in two phases, with the first group of 60 teachers from federal and state technical institutions undergoing instruction in Abuja, while another 60 participants will receive similar training in Lagos.
Speaking during the programme, the National Coordinator of Special Programmes in the Office of the Minister of Education, Adebayo Onigbanjo, said the initiative was designed to strengthen the teaching capacity of TVET instructors by introducing them to modern methods of pedagogy and assessment.
“We are working with the Institute of Technical Education Services in Singapore to develop capacity for TVET in Nigeria. This training focuses on pedagogy and assessment, equipping teachers with the best methods for technical instruction,” Onigbanjo said.
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According to him, the participants will return to their various institutions to train other instructors, creating a multiplier effect that will improve teaching standards and learning outcomes nationwide.
He explained that the programme was intended to expand the pool of qualified instructors in Federal Technical Colleges and equip them to deliver practical, industry-driven education that meets the country’s growing demand for skilled manpower.
Onigbanjo noted that the initiative supports the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition the TVET sector as a catalyst for industrialisation, employment generation and economic development.
He also disclosed that more than 1.3 million Nigerians enrolled for technical skills training following the launch of the programme last year, underscoring the need to increase the number of qualified trainers.
“We need more trainers. Those being trained today will return to their schools and train their colleagues, allowing us to scale up capacity across the country,” he said.
Also speaking, the Technical Assistant to the Minister of Education on TVET, Dr Nabila Mohamed, said the training was aimed at transforming technical education by replacing traditional theory-based teaching with competency-based learning.
She said participants would acquire practical instructional techniques capable of improving students’ engagement and preparing them more effectively for employment.
The Manager of the Academic Pedagogy Programme at Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education Services, Choo Poh Lian, explained that the programme was focused on improving teaching methods rather than providing trade-specific instruction.
She said participants would be trained in practical demonstration techniques, learner engagement, performance assessment and effective feedback systems that reflect industry requirements.
“We are sharing how Singapore teaches practical skills so that graduates become workplace-ready. We are focusing on pedagogy, how teachers demonstrate, guide students through practical tasks, provide constructive feedback and assess competencies based on industry performance criteria,” Lian, said.
One of the participants, Odebode Adegoke of the Federal Science and Technical College, Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun State, described the training as a valuable learning experience that would enhance the quality of technical education.
He said exposure to Singapore’s globally recognised TVET model had broadened his understanding of competency-based teaching and would enable instructors to place greater emphasis on practical learning, demonstrations and continuous assessment of students’ skills.
The programme, scheduled to run from 29 June to 10 July, forms part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s technical and vocational education system and produce a workforce equipped with skills that meet industry demands.
