The Federal Government has begun the training of 260,000 Nigerians in various technical and vocational skills under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection of some TVET operational centres in Abuja.
Alausa said the programme is part of a larger plan to train over 900,000 Nigerians in phases, aimed at equipping young people with practical skills for self-reliance, job creation, and national development. He explained that the training is taking place across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“This is one of over 2,600 skills training centres across the country. We are starting with 260,000 trainees, and the next phase will bring us closer to our target of 960,000,” the minister said.
He added that participants would receive stipends, starter packs, and grants after the training to enable them to establish their own businesses. “We need to go back to when TVET was a key part of our education. Our youths are not lazy; they are only waiting for opportunities, and that is what President Tinubu is providing,” Alausa said.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to revive vocational education and make it a strong pillar of the nation’s education system. He also revealed that five per cent of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) annual budget has been approved to sustain the programme.
“The president has given approval for five per cent of TETFund’s annual budget to support TVET training. This is a major step towards sustainability,” he said.
Alausa emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring Nigerian youths gain relevant and practical skills that promote self-employment, economic growth, and global competitiveness.
One of the trainees, Ms Kosi Anoliefo, who is undergoing training in the farming category, expressed her gratitude to the government for the opportunity. “When I graduated, I didn’t have a job. This programme will help us become self-reliant and overcome unemployment,” she said.
Another participant, Ms Margaret Okunsanya, currently training in fashion design, described the application process as smooth and transparent. “I saw the opportunity online, applied, and got a congratulatory message for my training. I’m very happy to be part of it,” she said.
The TVET initiative was inaugurated in June as part of the current administration’s effort to enhance skills development and youth empowerment. The training, which runs for six to twelve months depending on the vocation, includes livestock production, automated pottery, fishing, and other trades. It is being conducted in more than 2,600 centres nationwide.
