FG positions TVET as vehicle for Nigeria’s industrial transformation
By Uji A Iliyasu Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria into a skills-driven economy, declaring Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a critical pillar for boosting productivity, industrial growth and sustainable job creation across the country.
Speaking at the National TVET Conference 2026 held in Lagos, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is repositioning the education sector to produce innovators, entrepreneurs, technicians and job creators capable of driving national development.
The minister noted that with nearly five million young Nigerians entering the labour market annually, there is an urgent need to invest in practical, industry-relevant skills that can improve employability and support economic growth.
He said the government, through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), is strengthening the National Skills Qualification Framework, improving quality assurance mechanisms and expanding competency-based training nationwide. He disclosed that more than 150,000 trainees are currently undergoing skills development programmes in over 1,600 accredited centres across the country.
Alausa explained that the training programmes are being supported by thousands of instructors and quality assurance officers to ensure standardisation, competence and improved employment outcomes for participants. He added that the next phase of implementation would focus on enhancing quality, deepening private sector participation and strengthening links between training institutions and the labour market.
The minister stressed that emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing would shape future employment opportunities, making continuous investment in skills development essential for national competitiveness.
In recognition of his role in advancing technical and vocational education reforms, Alausa was honoured with the TVET Champion of the Year Award during the conference for his contributions to repositioning technical education as a catalyst for national transformation.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, described TVET as a strategic pathway to employment, innovation and economic development. He emphasised the need to equip young Nigerians with practical, digital and entrepreneurial skills required in a rapidly evolving global economy driven by technology and green growth.
Hamzat highlighted Lagos State’s investments in technical colleges, industry partnerships and hands-on training programmes, while calling for stronger collaboration among governments, industries and development partners to build a robust skills ecosystem.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making TVET a major driver of employment, social inclusion and green growth. He urged stakeholders to align training outcomes with labour market demands and ensure that conference resolutions translate into practical actions.
International development partners also commended Nigeria’s progress in advancing TVET reforms. Representatives from Switzerland, Germany and development organisations including UNESCO and UNICEF pledged continued support for youth employment, entrepreneurship and demand-driven skills development.
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 and development partners to strengthen the nation’s skills ecosystem and accelerate economic transformation.