Abuja, Nigeria – December 16, 2025
The Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to closing skills gaps and strengthening technical capacity through an expansive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative, aimed at equipping millions of young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills.
The Ministry made this known in response to a recent publication circulating across media platforms that examined skills deficits in Nigeria and Africa, particularly the reliance on foreign technical expertise in large-scale industrial projects.
Renewed Focus on Skills Development and Workforce Readiness
According to the Ministry, the renewed public discourse highlights the urgency of reforms already underway under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Central to these reforms is the prioritisation of TVET as a critical driver of sustainable development, economic growth, and workforce readiness.
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Recognising that skilled human capital is the foundation of national development, the Federal Ministry of Education has positioned TVET as a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Over 100,000 Nigerians Already Enrolled in TVET Programmes
The Ministry disclosed that over 100,000 Nigerians are currently undergoing training across more than 1,600 technical and vocational programmes nationwide. These programmes are delivered through Federal and State Technical Colleges, Skills Training Centres, and accredited Vocational Enterprise Institutions.
This first batch represents the initial cohort of 250,000 trainees, with full enrolment expected within the next two to three months. Looking ahead, the government plans to train over one million young Nigerians within the next two years, equipping them with skills to meet local, regional, and global labour market demands.
Priority Skills Aligned With Industry Needs
The TVET Initiative targets large-scale skills production in high-demand technical areas, including:
- Industrial mechanics
- Electrical installation
- Welding and fabrication
- Mechatronics
- Solar photovoltaic installation
- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion and maintenance
- Refrigeration and HVAC
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Other industry-driven technical skills
Training programmes are designed in close collaboration with industry partners to ensure graduates are not only certified, but employable and job-ready.
Revitalising Technical Institutions Nationwide
In parallel with skills training, technical institutions across the country are being revitalised through:
- Updated and modernised curricula
- Deployment of modern training equipment
- Instructor capacity development
- Strengthened quality assurance systems
Trained Quality Assurance Assessors and Internal Quality Assurance Managers have been deployed nationwide to ensure training outcomes meet national occupational standards and international benchmarks.
Structured Stipends to Support Trainees
To promote access, retention, and successful completion, the Federal Government is providing structured stipends to TVET trainees. The first tranche of payments has already been released to training centres, alongside direct stipends to beneficiaries, reinforcing accountability and programme sustainability.
International Partnerships for Capacity Building
The Ministry is also leveraging international partnerships to support curriculum modernisation, instructor training, and institutional strengthening. These collaborations are focused on long-term capacity building and knowledge transfer, rather than replacing Nigerian labour with foreign expertise.
A Sustainable Path to a Skills-Driven Economy
The Ministry emphasised that the TVET Initiative represents Nigeria’s structured and sustainable response to the challenge of skills deficits. By empowering Nigerians to operate, maintain, and expand the nation’s industries, the initiative aims to ensure citizens are active participants and leaders in Nigeria’s development.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to building a skills-driven economy where technical competence fuels innovation, industrial growth, and long-term national prosperity.
Source: Federal Ministry of Education, Office of the Director, Press and Public Relations
Signed: Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
