August 13, 2025 – The Federal Government has called on state governments to take urgent steps in implementing the National Policy on Skills Development in Formal and Non-Formal Education, with a clear plan to monitor progress and ensure accountability in delivering industry-relevant training across the country.
Speaking during the Northern Region Sensitization and Dissemination Workshop on the policy held in Kano State, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said Nigeria’s economic growth depends on shifting from theory-based education to skills-oriented training.
She stated that the country’s youthful population is its most valuable asset, warning that without targeted efforts to equip young people with market-ready skills, Nigeria could lose its demographic advantage.
Professor Ahmad urged state governments to domesticate the policy according to local needs, establish measurable quarterly targets, and present clear implementation strategies within two to three months.
She explained that the Federal Government will provide technical support through the Office of the Director of Technology and Science Education and will closely monitor progress in each state to ensure the policy’s success.
The minister highlighted the policy’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, which prioritizes foundational, transferable, digital, and job-specific skills.
She also noted ongoing initiatives such as digital teacher training, the conversion of schools into full-fledged Federal Technical Colleges serving as classroom-and-industry hubs, and the Luminah Programme aimed at supporting girls’ education.
“The strategy promotes inclusivity, teacher training, and public-private partnerships, all of which are vital for preparing our youth for the future,” Professor Ahmad said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel O. Enitan, represented by Dr. Muyibat Olodo, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to preparing Nigerian youth for the global economy.
He described the policy as a bold roadmap for building an inclusive and sustainable future and praised state education leaders for their vital roles.
Education Manager at UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. Munamuzunga Sikaulu, pledged UNICEF’s continued collaboration with the ministry, citing their 50-year partnership.
He stressed the need to recognize skills gained through apprenticeships, vocational programmes, and community-based initiatives, which would allow learners to progress even outside the traditional academic path.
The workshop also featured technical presentations from Mr. Jackson Nweke of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Habib Ahmad Jibrin of the National Education Research and Development Council, and Dr. Yusuf Suleiman of the National Board for Technical Education.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Uhuegbu Stella Ihuoma, representing the Director of Technology and Science Education, called on educators, policymakers, and community leaders to unite in advancing the policy’s vision.
“We must work together to build an education system that gives every learner the opportunity to succeed,” she said.
The same workshop had earlier been held in the southern zones and was attended by State Commissioners for Education, Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards, heads of agencies, parastatals, and other key education stakeholders.