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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to transform Nigeria into a skills-driven economy, with over 150,000 Nigerians currently undergoing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the country.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday at the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference 2026 held in Lagos, describing skills development as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.
The conference is expected to generate policy recommendations aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education as a pathway to employment, industrial growth and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.
The conference, themed “Harnessing TVET as a Pathway to Employment: Building One System for Employability, Inclusion and Green Growth in Nigeria,” brought together policymakers, development partners, industry leaders, training institutions and other stakeholders to chart a new course for skills development in the country.
Dr. Alausa, in his keynote address disclosed that the Federal Government had embarked on one of the most ambitious TVET reform programmes in Nigeria’s history under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), aimed at addressing unemployment, bridging skills gaps and preparing young Nigerians for the future of work.
He noted that Nigeria’s growing population presents both a challenge and an opportunity, stressing that equipping young people with relevant skills remains the surest path to economic prosperity.
He said: “By 2050, Nigeria’s population is projected to exceed 350 million people, with nearly 70 per cent under the age of 30. Every year, about five million young Nigerians enter the labour market seeking meaningful employment opportunities.
“This demographic reality can become either a burden or Nigeria’s greatest economic advantage. The difference lies in how effectively we equip our young people with relevant skills,” he said.
The Minister disclosed that the government inherited a fragmented TVET ecosystem characterised by weak coordination, inconsistent standards, inadequate funding and poor alignment with labour market needs.
But to address the challenges, he said the Federal Government launched a comprehensive national TVET initiative focused on harmonising training standards, strengthening accreditation systems, improving quality assurance and expanding access to skills training nationwide.
“These reforms have already begun yielding results. More than 1.3 million Nigerians initiated applications into the programme when the portal was opened, while over 963,000 completed applications, demonstrating unprecedented demand for skills acquisition.
“Today, over 150,000 trainees are actively undergoing training nationwide. We have expanded our network to more than 1,600 accredited training centres and trained over 4,000 instructors in modern pedagogical approaches and industry-specific trades,” he said.
Alausa added that more than 2,500 quality assurance managers have been trained and deployed across technical colleges and vocational institutions, while over 38 technical workshops have been upgraded to improve practical learning.
He also revealed that the government has launched a National Skills Information Centre, and is operationalising a National Job Matching Platform designed to connect trainees directly with employment opportunities.
“This marks a fundamental shift from training-for-training’s sake to a genuine skills-to-jobs ecosystem. Our goal is that every TVET graduate should possess skills that are relevant, marketable, certified and linked to economic opportunities,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized that the future of TVET must be industry-led, competency-based and labour market-driven, with greater focus on emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, renewable energy, cybersecurity, software development, precision agriculture and advanced manufacturing.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that women, persons with disabilities, vulnerable groups and rural communities are not left behind in the ongoing skills revolution.
In his address, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described TVET as a powerful tool for economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and national development, urging stakeholders to change societal perceptions that place greater value on certificates than practical skills. “TVET is not a second choice. It is a smart choice. It is a pathway to dignity, productivity, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos State has continued to invest heavily in technical and vocational education through the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).
He said over 10,000 students are currently enrolled annually across five government technical colleges in the state, receiving industry-relevant training in engineering, construction, ICT and creative trades.
The governor disclosed that more than 3,300 students were placed in industries through the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) last year, while approximately 70 per cent of LASTVEB graduates transition into employment or self-employment.
He added that 85 per cent of participants in the state’s Skills for Work programme have either secured jobs or established businesses.
“Female enrolment in traditionally male-dominated trades has grown by 23 per cent since the establishment of our dedicated Gender Unit because an inclusive skills economy is not an aspiration in Lagos; it is a measurable target,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that skills development remains central to addressing unemployment, reducing poverty and strengthening social stability. “The future does not belong to the credentialed alone. It belongs to the capable. Let us go and build capable Nigerians,” he said.
He urged governments, industry leaders, development partners and educational institutions to deepen collaboration in building a responsive TVET ecosystem capable of producing a globally competitive workforce.
