The Federal Government has embarked on a bold, youth-driven transformation aimed at reducing unemployment and stimulating innovation through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Nearly one million young Nigerians have now been trained or are currently undergoing training under this nationwide initiative — a landmark step designed to reposition the country’s workforce from job-seekers to job-creators.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, announced this milestone during an inspection visit to some TVET training centres in Abuja, including the AFS Vocational Hub in Garki and Golden Finger Farms and Ranches Ltd. According to the minister, over 250,000 youths have completed the first phase of the training, while more than 700,000 are currently participating across 2,600 accredited centres nationwide.
“This administration’s goal is not just to educate young Nigerians but to empower them to create jobs, build businesses and contribute to national development,” Sununu said. “We are changing the narrative of education from certificate acquisition to skill application.”
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Hands-On Skills That Match Market Needs
The government’s approach to TVET under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda focuses on practical, industry-relevant skills. Initially, 86 trade areas were listed for training, but the ministry streamlined them to 28 key sectors that align with Nigeria’s evolving labour market. These include fashion design, plumbing, GSM repair, livestock farming, solar installation, auto mechanics, and catering services.
Unlike traditional schooling, the TVET model devotes 90 percent of learning time to practical work and only 10 percent to theory, giving participants real-world experience. The programme aims to equip trainees with skills they can immediately use to generate income or start small businesses.
Dr Sununu revealed that the selection process for participants was transparent and data-driven. Out of 1.3 million applications received, 960,000 were successfully verified through the National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) systems. This, he explained, helps ensure that genuine applicants benefit from the initiative.
Each trainee receives a monthly stipend of ₦22,500, while participating training centres are supported with ₦45,000 per student to maintain high training standards. The combination of financial support, structured curriculum and verified selection has made the scheme one of the most comprehensive skill-development projects in Nigeria’s recent history.
From Training to Entrepreneurship: Turning Skills into Start-Ups
What sets the TVET initiative apart is its post-training support system. The government has promised to provide starter packs — toolkits, materials or seed equipment — to every successful graduate, enabling them to begin practising their trade immediately. In addition, trainees can access single-digit loans from the Bank of Industry (BOI) to expand their ventures and create employment for others.
To ensure the programme’s sustainability, the Federal Government has also directed that five percent of TETFund’s annual budget be dedicated to TVET activities. This policy shift underlines the recognition that vocational training is not an afterthought but a core pillar of Nigeria’s education and development strategy.
Minister Sununu described the initiative as “a revolution in skill-based education that will redefine how young Nigerians view work and self-reliance.” According to him, the TVET model will bridge the long-standing gap between education and employment — a challenge that has left many graduates jobless despite their academic qualifications.
For participants like Hadiza Musa, a 27-year-old from Kano who completed her training in solar panel installation, the initiative has already changed her life. “I never thought I could run a business,” she said proudly. “Now I’m training three apprentices and earning more than I did before. TVET gave me confidence and direction.”
A Pathway to Sustainable Growth and Inclusive Development
Beyond individual success stories, experts say the TVET initiative could become a key driver of Nigeria’s economic diversification. By equipping youths with practical skills, the government is addressing both unemployment and the shortage of skilled artisans that has long hampered industries like construction, agriculture and renewable energy.
Economic analysts note that if just 60 percent of the trained youths start viable businesses, the ripple effect could generate hundreds of thousands of new jobs across rural and urban areas. The programme could also reduce the overdependence on white-collar employment and foster a new culture of innovation and enterprise.
However, stakeholders emphasise that monitoring and quality assurance are crucial. To sustain impact, the Ministry of Education must track outcomes — not just the number of trainees — but how many graduates actually launch businesses and maintain them over time. Transparency, funding continuity, and inclusion of rural participants will also determine the programme’s long-term success.
Despite these challenges, optimism remains high. Across social media, many Nigerians have commended the federal government for taking practical action rather than offering rhetoric. Civil society groups have also called for state governments to complement the effort by establishing local TVET centres and integrating vocational studies into secondary school curricula.
Conclusion
The training of nearly one million youths under the TVET initiative signals a decisive shift in Nigeria’s approach to tackling unemployment and poverty. It represents a new educational philosophy — one that values what you can do over what you have studied.
If sustained, this initiative could create a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of transforming local economies and reducing the burden of joblessness nationwide. For countless Nigerian youths, it is not merely a government project — it is a fresh start, a renewed hope, and a practical path to prosperity.
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