ABUJA: The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunj Alausa, officially launched the National Board for Technical Education initiative Friday in Abuja under the theme, Advancing Skills, Empowering the Future.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Alausa revealed that out of the 5.2 million students who graduate from secondary schools annually, only about 1.8 million secure admissions into tertiary institutions, leaving over 3.4 million without a clear educational path.
He emphasized that the TVET initiative aims to address this gap by equipping young Nigerians with practical skills that will drive industrial growth and transition the country from a resource-based to a knowledge-driven economy.
He described the initiative as a strategic effort to attract young people to vocational education by providing them with opportunities to develop relevant, employable skills.
The government’s target is to train over 7 million youths in various skillsets, thereby realigning the education system to meet the country’s economic needs.
According to the minister, after completing their training, participants will receive starter packs and be eligible for low-interest loans through a partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), enabling them to apply their skills in real-world settings.
He further stated that billions of naira would be invested in the project, covering training, certification, and internet access particularly for underserved communities.
This is not merely a policy rollout it is a national commitment to unlocking the potential of millions of young Nigerians by equipping them with market-relevant skills, Alausa said.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, echoed the significance of the program, describing TVET as the backbone of national development.
The skills acquired through TVET are essential for building a prosperous and resilient Nigeria from farmers and technicians to nurses and engineers.
This initiative is about more than just training; it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and belief in the Nigerian dream, she said.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, called on the federal government to raise the stipends for trainees to match the national minimum wage.
He stressed that the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) is not just an educational reform, but a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future that requires collective commitment from all stakeholders to enhance the country’s human capital and economic leadership in Africa
