In what could pass for the largest skills drive in recent years, the Federal Government has enrolled nearly one million Nigerian youths in trades ranging from GSM phone repair and fashion design to plumbing and livestock production.
The announcement was made through a statement by the Federal Ministry of Education, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), made this known during an inspection visit to AFS Vocational Hub in Garki and Golden Finger Farms and Ranches Ltd in Abuja. He said about 250,000 participants are already undergoing training in the first phase of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme across 2,600 centres nationwide.
Dr. Alausa explained that the Ministry narrowed 86 trades to 28 key areas, focusing on hands-on skills such as modern farming, GSM repair, and tailoring. “The curriculum is 90 percent practical and 10 percent theory,” he said, adding that the idea is to produce entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
According to him, more than 1.3 million youths applied for the scheme, but 960,000 were verified through NIN and BVN screening. Each trainee receives a ₦22,500 monthly stipend, while training centres earn ₦45,000 per participant. On completion, beneficiaries will get starter packs and access to single-digit Bank of Industry loans to start their ventures.
Dr. Alausa also disclosed that 5% of TETFund’s budget has been earmarked for the TVET programme. “Technical and vocational education now stands at the centre of our national development agenda,” he affirmed.
If all goes as planned, the next generation of phone repairers, tailors, and farmers may soon become proud business owners powered by the Renewed Hope Agenda.
