In a bold move to address Nigeria’s rising youth unemployment and stimulate industrial development, the Federal Government has launched a comprehensive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with job-ready skills that meet global standards.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Friday, Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman (SAN), emphasized the transformative power of technical education in national development. He cited Germany as a global model where TVET played a pivotal role in building a strong and resilient economy.
“Technical skills built Germany’s economy, we can do the same in Nigeria,” Prof. Mamman said. “The key to tackling youth unemployment and achieving real industrialization lies in empowering our population with relevant, hands-on skills.”
The newly launched programme will target secondary school leavers, tertiary institution graduates, artisans, and out-of-school youths, offering practical training across sectors including automotive technology, welding and fabrication, ICT, construction, agriculture, renewable energy, and hospitality services.
Backed by federal funding and multilateral partnerships, the initiative will be rolled out in phases across the six geopolitical zones, beginning with a pilot in 12 states. State-of-the-art training centres and mobile vocational labs will be deployed to underserved and rural communities to ensure nationwide inclusivity.
According to the Ministry, the TVET strategy is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes job creation, innovation, and economic self-reliance.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate stands at over 40%, with millions of young people struggling to secure gainful employment due to skill mismatches and limited industrial opportunities.
In response, the government said it is collaborating with the Organised Private Sector (OPS), international donor agencies, and polytechnics to standardize the TVET curriculum and ensure that training meets both local industry needs and international certification benchmarks.
The Education Minister added that the programme would not only reduce dependency on white-collar jobs but also nurture a new generation of skilled entrepreneurs and innovators, crucial for Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation.
“We are no longer just talking about change, we are building the infrastructure to make it happen. Technical and vocational training is no longer an option; it is the future,” he concluded.
The launch has been widely welcomed by stakeholders in education, industry, and youth development sectors, who see it as a timely intervention in a nation where millions of young Nigerians are eager for opportunity and inclusion in the evolving economy.
