The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria into a skills driven economy, declaring that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) remains central to unlocking national productivity, industrial growth and sustainable job creation for millions of young Nigerians.
Speaking at the National TVET Conference 2026 in Lagos, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, is repositioning the education sector to produce innovators, entrepreneurs, technicians and job creators rather than job seekers.
Alausa noted that with nearly five million young Nigerians entering the labour market annually, investment in industry aligned skills has become an urgent national priority.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the government is strengthening the National Skills Qualification Framework through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), while improving quality assurance and expanding competency based training nationwide.
The minister disclosed that more than 150,000 trainees are currently undergoing skills development programmes across over 1,600 accredited centres nationwide.
The initiative is being supported by thousands of trained instructors and quality assurance officers to ensure standardization and improved employability outcomes.
Alausa said the next phase of implementation would focus on scaling quality, deepening private sector engagement and strengthening labour market linkages. He added that emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing would shape future employment opportunities, making sustained investment in skills development imperative.
In recognition of his role in advancing TVET reforms and skills development, Alausa was honoured with the TVET Champion of the Year Award at the conference.
Speaking on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat described TVET as a strategic pathway to employment, innovation and national development.
Hamzat stressed the need to equip young Nigerians with practical, digital and entrepreneurial skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy driven by technology and green growth. He highlighted Lagos State’s investments in technical colleges, industry partnerships and hands on training programmes, while calling for stronger collaboration among government, industry and development partners.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to making TVET a major driver of employment, inclusion and green growth.
Enitan highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen technical colleges, expand competency based training and deepen collaboration with industry stakeholders and development partners.
He urged greater alignment between training outcomes and labour market needs and commended initiatives such as WorldSkills Nigeria.
International development partners also commended Nigeria’s progress in advancing TVET reforms.
The Consul General of Switzerland, Conny Cammezind, reaffirmed support for youth employment and entrepreneurship, while Germany’s Consul General in Nigeria, Daniel Krull, praised the Renewed Hope TVET Initiative and the SKYE II Programme, stressing the importance of industry participation and demand-driven skills development.
Chair of the TVET Donor and Development Partners Working Group, Dr. Karen Jansen, described the conference as a strategic platform for advancing employability, inclusion and green growth through stronger policy coordination and the integration of digital and green skills.
The three day conference, themed “Harnessing TVET as a Pathway to Employment: Building a System for Employability, Inclusion and Green Growth in Nigeria,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders and development partners to strengthen Nigeria’s skills ecosystem and accelerate economic transformation.