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More than 100 young Nigerians have completed a six-month culinary and hospitality training programme under the Federal Government-backed IDEAS-TVET project, in a move aimed at reducing unemployment and closing critical skills gaps in Nigeria’s hospitality sector.
The beneficiaries were trained by the Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute Academy under the Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) initiative, a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme supported by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the World Bank.
The graduation ceremony took place in Abuja on Wednesday, where stakeholders described the programme as part of broader efforts to strengthen employability and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths.
Institute says programme targets industry skills shortage
Chief Executive Officer of Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute Academy, Khadijat Fashina, said the academy established the programme in response to the shortage of trained professionals in Nigeria’s catering and hospitality industry.
According to her, the initiative was designed to bridge the disconnect between labour market demand and the availability of skilled workers.
“There was a major skills gap in the industry, and that was affecting many entrepreneurs. That is why we decided to focus on bridging that gap,” Fashina said.
She explained that the training lasted six months, with the first three months dedicated to intensive classroom and practical instruction, while the remaining three months involved internships in live business environments.
This structure, she noted, ensures that participants gain both technical knowledge and real-world experience before graduation.
“At the end of the programme, they are better positioned to either start their own businesses or become more employable,” she added.
Fashina further disclosed that the trainees were assessed under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), developed by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which guarantees competency-based certification aligned with national standards.
FG links skills training to economic transformation
Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Ayomide Adeagbo, said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s recognition of the growing importance of practical skills in a changing global economy.
He noted that traditional employment structures are evolving, making vocational competence increasingly valuable.
“The world is moving beyond traditional nine-to-five jobs. Skills and talent now matter a lot, and that is why the government is investing in programmes like this to empower young people,” Adeagbo said.
He added that the IDEAS-TVET initiative extends beyond culinary training and is part of a wider national strategy to equip Nigerians in multiple sectors with market-relevant capabilities that can stimulate enterprise growth and reduce unemployment.
Post-training funding support planned for beneficiaries
Adeagbo also revealed that government support will continue beyond the training phase through funding and enterprise support schemes designed to help graduates launch businesses.
According to him, one of such channels is the Creative Economy Development Fund, which is expected to provide financial backing for qualified beneficiaries.
“We are not just training people and leaving them. There are follow-up plans, including access to funding through initiatives like the Creative Economy Development Fund,” he said.
He also highlighted policy reforms introduced by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, including intellectual property frameworks meant to support young entrepreneurs and creative professionals.
Participants urged to build businesses, create jobs
National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS-TVET initiative at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, commended the trainees for completing the programme and urged them to maximise the opportunity.
She said the initiative was specifically created to reduce youth unemployment and provide alternatives to joblessness.
Ogwu encouraged beneficiaries to focus on entrepreneurship rather than depending solely on paid employment, urging them to become job creators in their communities.
She also praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for sustaining support for youth-centred skills development programmes, describing the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital development.
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