De-Patriot News Desk
The Federal Ministry of Education has taken steps towards empowering Nigerian youths through its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Initiative. The program, designed to produce entrepreneurs rather than job seekers, has commenced training nearly one million youths across the country.
The initiative, anchored by the Federal Ministry of Education, seeks to shift the national focus from job-seeking to job creation, equipping participants with hands-on technical and vocational skills that drive innovation and productivity across key economic sectors.
During an inspection visit to AFS Vocational Hub, Garki, and Golden Finger Farms and Ranches Ltd, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), disclosed that over 250,000 youths have been enrolled in the first cohort of the programme, spread across 2,600 training centres nationwide. He described the initiative as a major milestone in the government’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable national development.
According to the Minister, the Ministry of Education streamlined 86 vocational trades into 28 key sectors, covering diverse areas such as fashion design, livestock production, plumbing, GSM repair, and modern farming. The curriculum is structured to be 90% practical and 10% theoretical, ensuring that participants gain real-life experience and employable skills.
Dr. Alausa revealed that the initiative attracted over 1.3 million applications, out of which 960,000 were verified through NIN and BVN for authenticity and transparency. Each participant receives a ₦22,500 monthly stipend, while accredited training centres are paid ₦45,000 per trainee to support instructional materials and logistics.
He further announced that graduates of the programme will be provided with starter packs and access to single-digit loans from the Bank of Industry (BOI) to establish small-scale enterprises and sustain their ventures beyond the training phase.
In a bid to institutionalize the programme and ensure its continuity, the Minister disclosed that 5% of TETFund’s annual budget has now been dedicated to TVET development, guaranteeing steady funding and expansion across the country.
“Technical and vocational education now stands at the centre of our national development agenda,” Dr. Alausa affirmed. “This initiative is a direct investment in our youth, designed to unlock their potential, create jobs, and drive inclusive growth.”
The TVET initiative stands as one of the most ambitious youth empowerment drives in Nigeria’s history, symbolizing the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to turn the nation’s demographic strength into an engine for entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic transformation.
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