The Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Dr. Iyela Ajayi, has called for young Nigerians to be exposed to entrepreneurship-oriented training.
He said this will prepare them to contribute meaningfully to national development and compete globally.
Dr. Ajayi spoke in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the 2025 long vacation skills acquisition programme for 100 senior secondary school students from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The two-week programme was organised by NSSEC in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
Students received hands-on training in Plaster of Paris (POP) design, tiling, plumbing, painting and decoration, solar panel installation, CCTV installation, catering, culinary skills, and robotics.
Represented by the Head of Teacher Development and International Partnerships at NSSEC, Mohammed Salihu, Dr. Ajayi described the initiative as a milestone.
He said it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on education, youth empowerment, skills development, and job creation.
Dr. Ajayi urged the students to apply their new skills in building a future of creativity and self-reliance.
“You are leaving this programme not just with skills, but with a new mindset. Use these skills to build a brighter future for yourselves, your families, and our nation,” he said.
He commended ITF for its partnership, the FCT Education Secretariat for providing accommodation, and the Ministry of Education for its continuous support.
According to him, the programme shows what can be achieved when government, institutions, and stakeholders work together to transform education.
The Director General of ITF, Dr. Afiz Ogun, was represented by Ojo Akindele.
He praised the students for their discipline during the training and said the skills acquired would boost their career prospects.
“These skills will position you to become employers of labour in the future,” he said.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, said the secretariat’s support was to create a safe and enabling environment for students.
He added that the FCT Administration will keep partnering with relevant agencies to promote skills-based education.
Some students described the training as life-transforming and promised to put their knowledge into practice.