The Federal Government has commenced free training for 26,000 youths nationwide under the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project.
The initiative prioritises human capital development, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic growth. The IDEAS project, domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Education and funded by the Federal Government in collaboration with the World Bank, is designed to strengthen skills acquisition, enhance employability, and reduce unemployment among Nigerian youths.
It is a key initiative of President Tinubu’s administration, aimed at delivering globally aligned, high-impact education and workforce development programmes across the country.
The 26,000 youths currently undergoing training make up the third cohort of the scheme. The programme started last year with about 8,000 participants in the first two cohorts.
During an inspection visit to the Wavecrest College of Hospitality in Lagos, the World Bank Practice Manager for Education in Africa (West and Central), Scherezad Latif, praised the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment through technical skills development.
“Nigeria is one of our large programmes. I am here to look at the minister’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative through a project called IDEAS. We are very proud and happy to be part of the government’s programme, and to see all the results that have already been achieved through this programme,” she said.
Latif also expressed delight at the motivation and clarity shown by the students, adding that the World Bank is proud to partner with the Federal Government on the initiative.
The National Project Coordinator for the programme, Blessing Ogwu, stated that the training is free. She added that beneficiaries would receive starter packs and have access to soft loans from the Bank of Industry (BoI) after completing the programme.
Deputy Provost of Wavecrest College of Hospitality, Ifeoma Nwabachili, explained that the programme combines training with employment opportunities. Beneficiaries will undergo three months of hands-on training and three months of internship training in the industry.
One of the beneficiaries, Ihedioha Ifeanyinchukwu, thanked the Federal Government for the opportunity, expressing hope that the training would improve his skills and employability.
