The House of Representatives has issued a final summons to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directing him to appear before its investigative panel over the ongoing probe into the implementation of the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.
The lawmakers’ decision followed the Minister’s failure to honour previous invitations to appear before the committee investigating the administration, funding and execution of the nationwide skills development initiative. The committee warned that continued non-compliance could attract constitutional measures available to the National Assembly in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities.
The TVET programme is one of the Federal Government’s flagship initiatives aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical and industry-relevant skills to reduce unemployment, bridge the nation’s technical manpower gap and promote entrepreneurship.
The House committee is seeking explanations on issues relating to the implementation of the programme, including funding, project execution, institutional participation and other operational matters connected with the scheme.
The summons comes at a time when the Federal Government has intensified reforms in the TVET sector, introducing measures such as biometric attendance verification and stricter monitoring systems to improve transparency, accountability and the effective utilisation of public funds.
Technical and vocational education has increasingly become a major focus of Nigeria’s education policy because of its role in preparing learners for employment and self-reliance. The programme seeks to provide training in technical trades, digital skills, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, renewable energy and other sectors considered critical to economic development.
The House maintained that legislative oversight remains necessary to ensure that public resources allocated to education programmes are utilised for their intended purposes and that beneficiaries receive the full value of government interventions.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to provide lawmakers with a clearer picture of the progress, challenges and accountability mechanisms surrounding the TVET initiative, while also identifying areas requiring policy improvements.
The development also reflects the increasing attention being given to technical and vocational education as Nigeria seeks to strengthen skills acquisition, expand workforce development and improve graduate employability through practical, industry-driven training programmes.
