As parts of efforts to enhance technical and skilled education, the federal government has targeted to train five million Nigerian Youths by 2030 through the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) initiative.
Speaking at the launch of TVET with the theme; Advancing Skills, Empowering the Future" in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said that
TVET initiative, is bold bold and strategic effort to reposition the nation's education system to meet the practical needs of the economy and the aspirations of the youth in country.
"We are gathered here not merely to make another policy pronouncement, but to formally declare a new national resolve. A resolve to unlock the latent potential of millions of young Nigerians by equipping them with relevant, market-driven skills; a resolve to reposition TVET as a cornerstone of our economic recovery, social inclusion, and industrial competitiveness," he said.
He segmented the skills to be trained by sector into the areas of seven areas of; construction and infrastructure skills; digital and media skills, technical and automobile skills; specialized and technician skills, renewable energy, Agriculture skill as well as service and creative skills.
The minister explained that the package includes free tuition, accommodation, and feeding and a monthly stipend of N22,500 to students in the colleges.
He also said thatc the free education applies to students in both federal and state technical colleges across the country.
He said the initiative was designed to attract more young people to TVET, incentivise them so they could use the opportunity to acquire relevant skills that would make them useful to themselves and the society.
He disclosed that the portal for registration of trainees under the TVET programme will be formally launched by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
According to him, accreditation of both public and private TVET centres nationwide is currently ongoing for the training of other categories of students, saying that the mission is backed by strategic investments, implementation frameworks, and multisectoral partnerships.
He stressed that the goal is not merely to produce certified graduates but to build a skilled workforce that is globally competitive, entrepreneurial, and adaptable.
He noted that this is the only way to bridge the skills gap, reduce youth unemployment, support local industries, and attract investments into the real economy.
“We are gathered here not merely to make another policy pronouncement, but to formally declare a new national resolve — a resolve to unlock the latent potential of millions of young Nigerians by equipping them with relevant, market-driven skills; a resolve to reposition TVET as a cornerstone of our economic recovery, social inclusion, and industrial competitiveness.
“Nigeria’s greatest resource is not beneath the ground — it is in the energy, creativity, and talent of her people. With over 70 percent of our population under the age of 30, the urgency to transform demographic potential into productive capacity cannot be overstated.
“The TVET initiative is our coordinated, data-driven, and action-oriented response to this challenge,” he stated.
He said the reform package is anchored on a standardized skills certification and demand-driven trade areas. To ensure broad participation, the government has introduced a package of practical incentives: tuition waivers, monthly stipends for learners,2 grants and single-digit loans in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), and business start-up kits for graduates.
“These measures are designed to reduce attrition, promote completion, and enhance employability.
“At the heart of this initiative lies the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), which sets a clear, credible, and industry-aligned pathway for skills acquisition and assessment.
“We are reforming the role of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and collaborating with domestic and international awarding bodies to deliver certifications that are both locally relevant and globally respected,” he stated.
The Minister revealed that the reform is designed to be inclusive, decentralized, and collaborative, explaining that the Ministry has already engaged state governors, commissioners of education, sector skills councils, regulatory agencies, employers, and development partners to build ownership at every level.
Already, disclosed that over 3,600 teachers and instructors have been retrained and upskilled, while the government is scaling up the accreditation of both public and private TVET centres nationwide.
“Together, we must change the perception of TVET from an alternative to academic education, to a first-choice pathway to dignity, productivity, and national development,” he stated.
In her welcome remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the TVET initiative as a bold leap forward for dreamers, builders, innovators, and problem-solvers who aspire to shape the nation with their hands, hearts, and minds.
"The theme of our gathering, “Advancing Skills and Empowering the Future,” reflects a vision deeply rooted in the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We know that Nigeria’s future depends on more than certificates, it depends on nurturing skilled, adaptable, and innovative people who can transform dreams into realities and challenges into opportunities.
"The theme of our gathering, “Advancing Skills and Empowering the Future,” reflects a vision deeply rooted in the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We know that Nigeria’s future depends on more than certificates, it depends on nurturing skilled, adaptable, and innovative people who can transform dreams into realities and challenges into opportunities.
"TVET is not just another sector of education; it is the backbone of our national progress. It turns potential into purpose, impacting millions; from farmers to technicians, nurses to engineers. The skills developed through TVET are the foundation for a prosperous, resilient Nigeria. Achieving this vision requires essential collaboration among all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies."