The Nigerian government has unveiled 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, made the announcement on Friday during the live press launch of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Initiative in Abuja.
He disclosed that the application portal for the TVET programme would open immediately, offering Nigerian youths free training in high demand areas such as coding, cloud computing, and data analytics.
“This is not a mere aspiration; it is a defined mission, backed by strategic investments, robust implementation frameworks, and extensive partnerships,” Alausa stated.
The minister highlighted that 25 demand-driven trade areas had been developed across sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, construction, agriculture, the creative industry, and automotive technology based on thorough labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations.
“The reform is inclusive, decentralised, and collaborative. We have already engaged state governors, education commissioners, sector skills councils, regulatory bodies, employers, and development partners to ensure ownership and sustainability at all levels,” he added.
Referencing global precedents, Alausa noted that countries such as Germany, South Korea, Singapore, and China had long anchored their industrial success on technical and vocational training.
“This is not a novel idea. We are following the model of the world’s most successful economies. Germany, for instance, has relied on technical skills for over five centuries, and remains Europe’s industrial engine,” he said.
He also introduced a Three-Year Technical Programme, to be implemented across state and federal institutions, with multi-tier certification. Accredited private institutions and skilled artisans will act as training centres to ensure widespread reach and consistent quality.
To encourage mentorship, participating artisans will receive a monthly stipend of N30,000 per apprentice. Graduates of the programme will also be provided with starter kits tailored to their specific trades tools for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and others allowing them to begin work immediately.
Further support will come in the form of soft loans and entrepreneurial assistance, facilitated through partnerships with the Bank of Industry. “Whether they choose employment or entrepreneurship, we are equipping them to succeed. This is how we generate jobs and build sustainable wealth,” Alausa affirmed.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the programme will employ geofencing technology and National Identity Number (NIN) verification to monitor trainee attendance and performance. The NELFUND platform will handle disbursement of stipends, payments to training centres, and overall programme management.
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Ultimately, the initiative aims to develop a skilled, competitive, and entrepreneurial workforce for Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), insisted that the oversight of TVET must remain within the Ministry of Education and not be transferred solely to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
He emphasised that the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), which aligns with international standards, should remain under educational governance. Bugaje also proposed a monthly stipend of N77,000 for TVET students to boost enrolment.
Nigeria’s first female mechanic, Sandra Aguebor, who also spoke at the launch, called for enhanced training in automotive manufacturing and urged greater support for women in the sector. She noted that her association had already trained over 6,000 female mechanics, highlighting women’s aptitude for multitasking and technical excellence.
