Nigeria has officially launched the training phase of a nationwide Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme aimed at equipping one million young people with hands-on skills across 25 trades.
The initiative, first announced in May, is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader strategy to shift the economy from resource-dependence to knowledge and skills-based development.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the rollout in a statement on Friday, highlighting that more than 1.3 million applications were received for the six- to twelve-month training programme.
Of those, 970,000 applicants were deemed eligible. The first cohort of 250,000 trainees has already been matched to over 1,700 certified training centres across the country.
The programme offers instruction in trades such as solar photovoltaics, hospitality, livestock management, fashion, and garment-making, all aligned with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) standards.
Many of the selected participants are university graduates seeking practical skills to enhance employability or start their own ventures.
Dr. Alausa, who visited two training centres in Abuja last week, praised the enthusiasm of the youth involved. “This is Renewed Hope in action,” he said, pointing to the programme as a pillar of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to inclusive economic transformation.
To ensure long-term sustainability, President Tinubu has approved that 5% of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) be allocated to support and expand TVET nationwide, a move the government says will institutionalise skill development as a national priority.
