The Federal Government has launched the training of nearly one million Nigerian youths under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative, a flagship programme of the Federal Ministry of Education aimed at producing entrepreneurs and reducing unemployment nationwide.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), announced this during an inspection visit to AFS Vocational Hub, Garki, and Golden Finger Farms and Ranches Ltd, Abuja. He disclosed that over 250,000 youths have been enrolled in the first phase of the programme, taking place across 2,600 training centres nationwide.
Dr. Alausa described the initiative as a major milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that the programme seeks to equip young Nigerians with practical skills for self-employment and national development.
According to the Minister, the Ministry streamlined 86 trades into 28 key sectors including fashion design, livestock production, plumbing, GSM repair, and modern agriculture to align with labour market needs. The curriculum, he said, is 90% practical and 10% theoretical to ensure real-world competence.
He revealed that the Ministry received over 1.3 million applications, of which 960,000 were verified through the National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) systems. Each trainee is entitled to a ₦22,500 monthly stipend, while accredited centres will receive ₦45,000 per participant.
Graduates of the programme will be provided with starter packs and given access to Bank of Industry (BOI) single-digit loans to help establish small and medium-scale enterprises.
Dr. Alausa further announced that 5% of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) budget has been earmarked for TVET activities to ensure long-term sustainability and nationwide expansion.
“Technical and vocational education now stands at the centre of our national development agenda,” the Minister stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to empowering youth and driving industrial growth through skills acquisition.
