FG Trains 150,000 Nigerians in 1,600 Centres to Drive Economic Growth

The Federal Government has said more than 150,000 Nigerians are currently undergoing technical and vocational training across 1,600 accredited centres nationwide as part of efforts to build a skills-driven economy and boost national productivity.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this at the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference 2026 in Lagos, where he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to repositioning education under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Alausa said the administration was deliberately shifting Nigeria’s education system away from certificate-based learning to a model that produces skilled workers, entrepreneurs and innovators capable of driving industrial growth.

He noted that with nearly five million young Nigerians entering the labour market annually, the need for large-scale investment in technical skills had become urgent.

According to him, ongoing reforms under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) are strengthening the National Skills Qualification Framework, expanding competency-based training and improving quality assurance across training institutions.

“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,” he said.

The minister explained that the next phase of the reform would focus on scaling up training quality, strengthening private sector participation and expanding linkages between trainees and job markets.

He identified emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing as key areas that would define future employment opportunities in Nigeria.

Alausa also said the reforms were designed to ensure that training institutions produce graduates who are ready for work immediately after certification.

In recognition of his role in advancing technical education reforms, the minister was honoured with the TVET Champion of the Year Award at the conference.

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat described TVET as a critical pathway to employment, innovation and national development.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government, industry and development partners to equip young Nigerians with practical and digital skills needed in a changing global economy.

Hamzat also highlighted Lagos State’s investments in technical colleges and industry-based training programmes, noting that such efforts were already producing measurable results.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Enitan, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making TVET a central pillar of employment creation and inclusive growth.

He said efforts were ongoing to strengthen technical colleges, expand competency-based training and ensure closer alignment between training outcomes and labour market needs.

Development partners at the conference also commended Nigeria’s progress in implementing TVET reforms.

The Consul General of Switzerland, Ms. Conny Cammezind, reaffirmed support for youth employment initiatives, while her German counterpart, Mr. Daniel Krull, praised Nigeria’s Renewed Hope TVET Initiative and SKYE II Programme, describing them as steps in the right direction for skills development.

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 international partners to discuss strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s skills ecosystem and accelerating economic transformation.