In a bold push towards reshaping Nigeria’s technical education landscape, the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE) has rolled out several landmark initiatives in recent years. Led by Abiola Arogundade, the programme seeks to equip young Nigerians with market-relevant skills, foster innovation, and expand opportunities for self-employment across the country. As the administration pursues its broader economic renewal agenda, the impact of these efforts is beginning to show, particularly among youth in technical schools and vocational training programmes.
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Equipping Students with Tools for the Future
One of the most visible interventions by OSSAP-TVEE is the distribution of high-quality tools and training to students in technical institutions. In July 2024, Arogundade’s office donated 50 laptops and 50 industrial training course licences, valued at over N80 million, to students at the Government Science and Technical College (GSTC) in Garki, Abuja. Each student received a laptop pre-loaded with custom software designed to support a six-month training programme in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Engineering.
During the handover at the FCT campus, the SSAP-TVEE emphasised that this move was more than a donation; it was a deliberate effort to usher in innovation in technical education. The plan envisions students not just as learners, but as future entrepreneurs tied to the emerging fields of robotics and AI.
The training and licences aim to position beneficiaries to respond to the increasing demand for digital and technical skills. By equipping them with modern devices and training access, the programme hopes to transform Nigeria’s technical colleges into launching pads for skilled, tech-savvy graduates ready for global competition.
Entrepreneurial Grants and Youth Empowerment
Beyond equipment and training, OSSAP-TVEE has also invested in entrepreneurial incentives. Through the “Unlock Training Programme,” the office trained around 10,000 participants nationwide in core business-management skills, including drafting business plans, understanding pricing and risk, and navigating marketing strategy. Subsequently, grants of N500,000 were awarded to 120 top performers, while 80 existing micro-business operators received capital support to scale up their operations.
These grants were complemented by follow-up support: certificates of completion, assistance with company registration, and mentorship for new start-ups. Such comprehensive backing aims to spur small-scale enterprises in sectors such as hairdressing, catering, general trades, and other technical-service areas.
By combining training with financial support, the office seeks to remove barriers that often prevent youths from converting skills into sustainable businesses. This approach reflects a deeper understanding that skill acquisition must go hand in hand with capital, mentorship, and support structures to succeed.
Strategic Collaboration for Mass Job Creation
Recognising that tackling unemployment in Nigeria requires institutional collaboration, OSSAP-TVEE has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to implement the Labour and Employment Empowerment Programme (LEEP). The Memorandum of Understanding signed between both bodies aims to generate 2.5 million jobs nationwide through vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial training.
According to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the collaboration supports the government’s broader 8-point agenda on job creation, productivity, and economic competitiveness.
From OSSAP-TVEE’s perspective, this alliance promises to enhance the number of skilled individuals and transform them into self-reliant contributors to Nigeria’s economy, rather than job seekers.
Preparing Youths for the Digital Economy Through New Training
In addition to robotics and AI training, the office has expanded its offerings with modern, high-demand skills. Under the government’s poverty reduction and growth strategies, OSSAP-TVEE recently concluded a ten-day training course in Cybersecurity and Web Development in Abuja. The event targeted youths aiming to become part of Nigeria’s growing tech workforce, equipping them with relevant digital competencies.
At the closing of the programme, Arogundade commended the participants and facilitators for their dedication and underscored her office’s commitment to scaling the training to other states. She described the initiative as one that restores dignity and offers a genuine path to employment in an increasingly digital world.
By offering versatile programmes, from AI and robotics to cybersecurity and web development, the SSAP-TVEE is signalling a shift from traditional vocational training to modern, future-ready skills that are aligned with global trends.
Looking Ahead: Education Reform with Purpose and Promise
The cumulative effect of these measures underlines a concerted effort to reposition technical and vocational education (TVET) in Nigeria. Rather than being a training ground for low-skilled labour, technical schools and vocational programmes are being revitalised as hubs for innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity.
Through the synergy of equipment provision, entrepreneurial grants, strategic partnerships, and contemporary digital-skill training, the OSSAP-TVEE under Abiola Arogundade is charting a new course for Nigerian youths — one that values practical skills, self-reliance, and forward-looking enterprise.
The early signs are encouraging. The successes already recorded in Abuja and the strategic plans for expansion suggest that this is only the beginning. With continued political will, institutional coordination, and sustained investment, the initiative has the potential to redefine the future of vocational education and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
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