TVET : FG Commits To Transforming Nigeria Into Skills-driven Economy

The Private Sector has been urged to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in building a productive workforce
strengthening industrialization, promoting entrepreneurship, driving innovation,
competitiveness, and accelerating economic growth, through TVET initiatives.

This is as the Federal Government reiterates commitment towards transforming Nigeria into a skills-driven economy, with over 150,000 Nigerians currently undergoing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the country.

A statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Communications, to the Minister of Education, Mr Ikharo Attah, said the
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was speaking at the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference 2026 held in Lagos.

Dr Alausa described skills development as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda and reform that focuses on Scaling Quality, Deepening Industry Participation, Strengthening Labour Market Linkages, and ensuring Sustainable Financing for Skills Development.

Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is repositioning education to produce innovators, entrepreneurs, technicians and job creators rather than job seekers.

He noted that with nearly five million young people entering the labour market annually, urgent investment in industry-aligned skills has become a national necessity.

The minister disclosed that over 150,000 trainees are currently undergoing skills development in more than 1,600 accredited centres nationwide, supported by thousands of trained instructors and quality assurance officers to ensure standardisation and employability outcomes.

“Government will take the lead in this next phase, but we cannot do this alone. Industry must become an equal partner in defining competency standards, curriculum design, apprenticeship opportunities, workplace learning, and graduate employment pathways.
The private sector knows the skills it needs. Therefore, industry must play a central role in shaping the training ecosystem. Our esteemed partners also have important roles to play in this next phase as well.”

“This is why we are strengthening partnerships with manufacturers, technology companies, agricultural enterprises, construction firms, energy providers, chambers of commerce, and professional associations.”

“The future of TVET must be industry-led, competency-based, and labour-market driven. We must also prepare our workforce for emerging sectors.”

Speaking on behalf of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, described TVET as a strategic pathway to employment, innovation and national development.

He stressed the need to equip young Nigerians with practical, digital and entrepreneurial skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global economy driven by technology and green growth.

He also highlighted Lagos State’s investments in technical colleges, industry partnerships and hands-on training, while calling for stronger collaboration between government, industry and development partners to build a skills-driven economy.

While delivering the opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to making TVET a central driver of employment, inclusion and green growth.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen technical colleges, expand competency-based training and deepen collaboration with industry and development partners, while urging stronger alignment between training outcomes and labour market needs.

In their goodwill messages, international development partners commended Nigeria’s progress in advancing TVET reforms.

Highlight of the event was the conferment of the TVET Champion of the Year Award on Dr Tunji Alausa in acknowledgement of his contributions to repositioning technical education as a driver for national transformation.

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.

PR/Nkiruka Okeke