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The UNESCO has renewed its call for Nigeria to prioritise Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a strategic response to rising unemployment, particularly within the agro-processing segment of the agricultural value chain.
This position was made known by the Head of Office in Abuja, Jean-Paul Abiaga, during a Labour Market Workshop focused on skills gap analysis in the agro-processing sector. Represented by Ifeanyi Ajaegbo, Abiaga stressed that youth skills development must be aligned with market realities to unlock employment opportunities.
The workshop, organised under the BEAR III initiative, is being implemented by UNESCO with backing from the Government of the Republic of Korea. The programme is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s agro-processing skills ecosystem while fostering collaboration between policymakers, educators and industry players.
According to Abiaga, the disconnect between classroom instruction and real-world labour demands remains a major contributor to unemployment. He noted that identifying existing skills gaps would enable the design of responsive training programmes capable of equipping young Nigerians with industry-relevant competencies.
“It is only relevant, market-oriented skills that will enable people thrive in today’s fast-changing world driven by technology, AI and digital innovation,” he said.
He further explained that the workshop is expected to influence policy formulation and implementation, ensuring that TVET systems are not only industry-aligned but also future-ready. This, he noted, is critical in repositioning agro-processing as a viable employment generator.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, Patricia Ogungbemi emphasised the need for sustained investment in technical skills development. Represented by Christiana Obaje, she highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors to strengthen food security and industrial growth.
She noted that while technology continues to evolve, its effectiveness depends largely on the technical capacity of the workforce. As such, there is an urgent need to move beyond theoretical teaching towards practical, industry-based training models.
“Our mission is to transition from theoretical science into applied industrial competence. Skills developed within TVET institutions must directly match the needs of factories and processing plants,” she said.
At the sub-national level, stakeholders are also aligning with this vision. Ibrahim Ado disclosed that Kano State is intensifying efforts to integrate Work-Based Learning (WBL) into its education system. According to him, this approach is critical in bridging the gap between theory and practice, especially given the state’s large youth population and expanding agro-processing activities.
He added that the administration of Abba Yusuf is focused on strengthening TVET institutions, promoting industry partnerships and aligning education policies with both national priorities and global best practices.
Earlier, Onallo Akpa raised concerns over persistent deficiencies in agro-processing and post-harvest management skills. He noted that ongoing workshops across Abuja, Kano and KRIVET, supported by the Korean government, are addressing structural barriers limiting participation among women, youth and unemployed individuals.
Overall, stakeholders at the event agreed that strengthening TVET remains central to closing Nigeria’s unemployment gap, with agro-processing identified as a critical sector capable of driving inclusive economic growth if properly supported.
