Jane Salihu
The Federal Government has announced that more than 150,000 Nigerians are currently undergoing technical and vocational training across the country as part of efforts to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and employment opportunities.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, made the disclosure at the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference 2026 in Lagos, where he outlined the administration’s strategy for building a skills-driven economy capable of generating jobs, boosting productivity and accelerating national development.
Alausa said the government, through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), is implementing reforms aimed at transforming the country’s education system from one that largely produces job seekers to one that develops innovators, entrepreneurs, technicians and job creators.
According to the minister, the growing demand for skills acquisition is evident in the more than 1.3 million applications received for the TVET programme, with over 963,000 applicants completing the registration process.
He revealed that training is currently taking place in more than 1,600 accredited centres nationwide, supported by over 4,000 instructors and teachers as well as 2,500 quality assurance managers deployed to maintain standards and improve employability outcomes.
The minister noted that the reforms include the repositioning of Federal Science and Technical Colleges as Federal Technical Colleges, the introduction of an 80:20 practical-to-theory training model, and the strengthening of accreditation, certification and quality assurance systems.
Alausa further disclosed that the government has launched a National Skills Information Centre and is operationalising a National Job Matching Platform designed to connect trainees directly with employment opportunities.
He said the next phase of implementation would focus on expanding training quality, strengthening partnerships with the private sector and aligning training programmes with labour market demands.
“The future economy will require expertise in artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, renewable energy, cybersecurity, software development, advanced manufacturing and digital entrepreneurship. Nigeria must develop the skilled workforce needed to compete in these sectors,” he said.
The minister stressed that the reforms are also targeted at expanding opportunities for women, persons with disabilities, vulnerable populations and young people who may not pursue conventional academic pathways.
In recognition of his contributions to advancing technical and vocational education reforms, Alausa was honoured with the TVET Champion of the Year Award during the conference.
Speaking on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, described TVET as a critical pathway to employment, innovation and economic growth. He called for stronger collaboration among governments, industry stakeholders and development partners to equip young Nigerians with the skills needed for a rapidly evolving global economy.
The conference also attracted support from international development partners, including Germany, Switzerland, GIZ, UNESCO, UNICEF and the European Union, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education.
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, development partners and education stakeholders to explore strategies for expanding skills development and promoting economic transformation.
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