The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills through the implementation of the National Policy on Skills Development in Formal and Non-Formal Education.
The policy, described as a major pillar of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), focuses on reforming the curriculum, enhancing teacher training, revitalising Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), expanding non-formal education, and strengthening public-private partnerships.
Championed by President Bola Tinubu, the initiative was the main subject at a sensitisation and dissemination workshop held in Lagos to mobilise stakeholders for nationwide adoption.
Declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, said the policy targets learners across all education levels, including basic, secondary, tertiary, and non-formal education.
He explained that it will integrate hands-on training, critical thinking, digital literacy, and vocational skills into the curriculum to boost employability.
Dr Alausa, represented by the Director of Technology and Science Education in the Ministry, Muyibat Olodo, urged Commissioners of Education, SUBEB Chairmen, and other stakeholders to “take ownership of the policy and drive its implementation at the grassroots level.”
In a presentation titled “National Policy on Skills Development: Implementation through the Technical Education Lens,” the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, stressed the need to integrate skills development from an early stage.
He noted that this approach would help tackle issues such as skills mismatch, limited training opportunities, inadequate labour market data, and weak industry engagement. Professor Bugaje, represented by Suleiman Yusuf, called for “stronger collaboration among government, industry, NGOs, and development partners to ensure the delivery of high-quality, relevant, and competency-based training that meets labour market needs.”
UNICEF’s Chief of Education, Vanessa Lee, represented by Ms Yetunde Oluwatosin, reaffirmed the organisation’s support for the rollout of the policy nationwide, stating that it will help build a skilled and competitive workforce for Nigeria’s future.