Federal Government has trained more than 75,000 youths in skill acquisition through the Innovation Development and Effective in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) TVET initiative.
The National Project Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, made this known at the launch of a six-month free training for 100 trainees in Agriculture and Aquaculture in Badagry, Lagos State. The programme was organised by the Federal Ministry of Education, IDEAS-TVET Initiative, in collaboration with SejFarms Consults Limited.
Ogwu explained that the training had been ongoing for about five years, with various components targeting youth development and job creation. “But for this IDEAS-TVET Initiative, it started in late 2024 and we have done the first cohort. This is the second cohort,” she said.
She added that the main objective of the initiative is to train youths in different skills and promote skill transfer among them. “What youths need most is to be taken off the streets and equipped to be self-sustained,” she said. “So far, we are looking at engaging over 75,000 youths before the end of the programme.”
Ogwu praised the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the World Bank for their continued support in helping young Nigerians through the initiative.
The Managing Director of SejFarms Consults Limited, Mr Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, said the participants, mostly graduates of agriculture, would be equipped with practical knowledge to boost food security in line with the Federal Government’s agenda.
Also speaking, the training coordinator, Mr Nurudeen Tiamiyu, said the participants would gain hands-on experience in the full agricultural value chain by the end of the programme.
The media aide to Prince Sesi Whingan, Mr Peter Dansu, urged the trainees to take advantage of the opportunity to become professional farmers.
A teacher, Mr Augustine Kiki, who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, encouraged the participants to take the training seriously.
Assistant Chief Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mrs Toying PoT-Balogun, also advised the beneficiaries to make Lagos proud by utilising the opportunity for personal and community development.
