The federal government is set to introduce the Global Excellence Model for Skills Training as part of efforts to reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training across Nigeria. Under the new plan, TVET institutions nationwide will be assessed across seven dimensions of excellence and will also collaborate on the development and implementation of a two-year technical diploma in AI applications across institutions in the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja after receiving the High Commissioner of Singapore, Mr. Lim Sim Seng. The meeting followed his visit to Singapore in 2025 to deepen bilateral collaboration on technical and vocational education.
“Following my visit to Singapore last year (2025), I was pleased to receive the High Commissioner of Singapore, Mr. Lim Sim Seng, in my office in Abuja to advance the next steps of our bilateral collaboration on technical and vocational education,” he said.
According to the minister, Singapore’s ITEES will support capacity development across Nigeria’s technical institutions. This will include leadership training for 40 heads of institutions, a Train-the-Trainer programme focused on assessment methodology and pedagogy, and the introduction of the Global Excellence Model for Skills Training.
“Additionally, we will collaborate on the development and implementation of a two-year technical diploma in AI applications across institutions in the country,” he added.
Dr Alausa described Singapore as “a global use case in building a skills-driven economy” and said Nigeria looks forward to finalising the agreement to position its formal TVET education as the best in Africa.
Earlier in November 2025, the minister had shared updates from his official engagements in Singapore, where he met with Singapore’s Minister of Education, Mr. Desmond Lee. He said the discussions “reaffirmed the strong ties between our countries and our shared commitment to strengthening TVET.”
He explained that part of his visit included a tour of the Institute of Technical Education and sessions with ITE Education Services to review their existing Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s National Board for Technical Education. Proposed areas of collaboration include quality assurance support, strengthening GEMSET, a new three-year AI Applications Programme, leadership development, and more train-the-trainer opportunities.
Dr Alausa also spoke about Nigeria’s Free Education Initiative across Federal Technical Colleges and selected state colleges, stating that the government is “fully covering tuition and essential amenities to expand access to quality, skills-based education.”
He revealed that the next phase will focus on connecting applicants to jobs and supporting those ready to start small businesses.
Meanwhile, some TVET beneficiaries are yet to receive their N22,500 monthly stipend from November 2025 to date. The delay in disbursement has raised concerns, with some observers saying it fades away the good deeds of the programmes. The Minister has been called upon to look into these challenges as a concerned fellow.
The federal government has also introduced biometric verification following allegations of fraud and trainees ghosting the programme in collaboration with trainers. Authorities have promised to penalize any trainee or trainer found guilty as efforts continue to strengthen accountability within the TVET system.
