Follow Us on Google
By Chinenye Anuforo
No fewer than 120 artisans and aspiring entrepreneurs have been empowered through a vocational skills development initiative implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with EGO Foundation, with support from Access Corporation.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen vocational education and equip young Nigerians with practical, income-generating skills that can improve livelihoods and drive economic growth.
Designed to enhance participants’ technical capacity and employability, the initiative provided intensive hands-on training, entrepreneurship education and business development support aimed at helping beneficiaries establish sustainable businesses and achieve long-term economic independence.
The training covered a range of high-demand vocational areas, including garment making and fashion design, beauty and cosmetology, solar installation and maintenance, hospitality management, catering and food services, entrepreneurship development, and business management.
According to the organisers, the sectors were carefully selected to equip participants with market-relevant skills capable of generating sustainable income and creating employment opportunities within their communities.
Beneficiaries received practical instruction from experienced trainers and participated in entrepreneurship and business management sessions designed to help them strengthen existing enterprises or explore new economic opportunities.
Other News
Recognising that skills acquisition alone may not be sufficient to achieve lasting economic transformation, Access Corporation supported the initiative by providing essential work tools and starter kits to beneficiaries. The support is expected to enable participants to immediately apply their newly acquired skills, improve productivity, establish or expand businesses, and generate sustainable income.
Speaking on the impact of the programme, Executive Director of EGO Foundation, Toluwase Olaniyan, commended the Federal Ministry of Education and Access Corporation for their commitment to empowering Nigerians through practical skills development.
“This initiative is a powerful example of what can be achieved when government, the private sector and development organisations work together towards a common goal. We commend the Federal Ministry of Education for its leadership in advancing vocational education and Access Corporation for its investment in the future of these artisans through the provision of tools and starter kits,” Olaniyan said.
He noted that the programme represented a starting point rather than an end for the beneficiaries.
“However, this is not the finish line for our beneficiaries—it is only the beginning. The skills acquired during this programme, combined with the tools provided, represent an opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods, create jobs and transform communities. We encourage every participant to continue improving their craft and become ambassadors of excellence and entrepreneurship in their respective fields,” he added.
Stakeholders at the programme stressed the importance of practical skills acquisition in addressing unemployment, fostering entrepreneurship and creating pathways to economic prosperity.
Beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the opportunity, noting that the training and support received would significantly improve their economic prospects and support the growth of their businesses.
The initiative reflects the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway to employment creation, entrepreneurship and national development. It also highlights Access Corporation’s commitment to promoting economic inclusion, youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods through investments in human capital development.
Observers noted that the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, EGO Foundation and Access Corporation demonstrates the impact of strategic public-private partnerships in advancing skills development and inclusive economic growth. By combining government leadership, implementation expertise and private-sector support, the initiative has created meaningful opportunities for artisans to enhance their productivity, increase their incomes and contribute to national development.
