The Federal Government has intensified efforts to expand vocational skills development and strengthen Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, with 75 beneficiaries acquiring professional beauty and cosmetology skills under the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project in Lagos State.
The development emerged during a monitoring visit to selected IDEAS Project training centres in Lagos by the National Project Monitoring Officer for TVET and IDEAS in the Office of the Honourable Minister of Education, Mr. Olatunji Odewunmi.
The monitoring exercise covered Elegant Twins Institute of Cosmetology, Surulere, and Federal Technical College (FTC), Yaba, where the team assessed training delivery, institutional performance, compliance with programme requirements and beneficiaries’ progress.
The IDEAS Project, a Federal Government initiative supported by the World Bank and implemented through the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s TVET system, improve institutional capacity and equip learners with practical, industry relevant competencies for employment and entrepreneurship.
The initiative complements the government’s broader TVET reform agenda under Pillar One of the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
At Elegant Twins Institute, Odewunmi commended the quality of instruction, practical training and commitment demonstrated by beneficiaries. He explained that the monitoring exercise was aimed at ensuring that participating centres fulfilled their obligations and that government investments in vocational education translated into measurable outcomes.
He disclosed that Lagos State has approximately 128 TVET centres providing opportunities for Nigerians to acquire vocational skills.
According to him, programme support covers essential training requirements, including registration, accommodation and learning materials, while beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend of ₦30,000. Training service providers also receive ₦50,000 per trainee monthly to facilitate effective training delivery.
He said the intervention was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s skilled workforce, develop local technical capacity, reduce dependence on foreign artisans and equip young people with competencies to secure employment or establish sustainable businesses.
At Federal Technical College, Yaba, the IDEAS Project Manager, Abimbola Oyedeji, disclosed that the intervention, which commenced about five years ago, had contributed to increased student enrolment and improved practical skills training at the institution.
She listed the supported vocational areas as Blocklaying and Concreting, Tiling, Woodwork, Auto Body Building and Computer Craft, covering competencies in block production, tile installation, furniture making, upholstery, carpentry, joinery, panel beating, automobile mechanics, Information and Communication Technology and Robotics Engineering. Catering Craft is also covered under the programme.
Oyedeji expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for supporting technical education, strengthening institutional capacity and providing students with opportunities to acquire skills relevant to the world of work.
At Elegant Twins Institute of Cosmetology, the Centre Manager, Kunle Oladunjoye, said the institute was selected as a Training Service Provider to train 75 beneficiaries in beauty and cosmetology.
He described the selection process as transparent and merit based, involving interviews and verification of applicants’ information.
Oladunjoye explained that qualified professional instructors, including former students with substantial industry experience, were delivering the training. He added that beneficiaries had demonstrated encouraging progress and were acquiring the confidence and practical abilities needed to establish their own businesses.
He commended the Federal Government for meeting its financial obligations to the training centre and providing monthly stipends for beneficiaries, noting that the support had facilitated effective training delivery.
The Founder of the institute, Mrs. Elizabeth Adebisi Oshisoya, who traced her involvement in cosmetology training to 1950, described the intervention as an important opportunity to expand access to professional vocational skills.
She recalled her longstanding training activities in Ibadan, Ijebu and Calabar and expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for supporting vocational empowerment and self-reliance.
Some beneficiaries also shared their experiences, highlighting the practical knowledge and financial support provided under the initiative.
Abdulhakeem Shamsudeen said he had acquired additional skills in nail technology and makeup, building on his previous knowledge of the beauty industry. He confirmed that the training was free and that he received the monthly ₦30,000 stipend.
Similarly, Omotosho Okwemi commended the government for providing free vocational training and financial support, while Boma Messe-Britz highlighted the practical knowledge she had acquired in makeup, hairdressing, nail technology and spa services.
The beneficiaries praised their instructors and called for the continuation of the initiative.
At FTC Yaba, Leo Uzoma commended the Federal Government for providing free training and equipment, noting that access to appropriate facilities had enhanced his practical learning.
Oni Oluwada said the programme had improved his knowledge of electrical installation, including basic electrical connections and socket installation.
Another beneficiary, Adebayo Mowufin Oluwada, explained that the training was helping her strengthen her knowledge of electrical installation in preparation for further studies and a career in electrical engineering.
The monitoring exercise forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen accountability, quality assurance and evidence based management across its TVET interventions.
Through direct engagement with training providers, instructors and beneficiaries, the Federal Ministry of Education continues to assess programme implementation, identify areas requiring improvement and ensure that participating centres meet established standards.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining monitoring and evaluation across TVET interventions to promote effective delivery, accountability and measurable impact, while building an inclusive, responsive and skills driven education system that prepares Nigerians for employment, entrepreneurship and participation in national economic development.
