The Federal Ministry of Education has responded to a recent publication circulating across media platforms which examines skills deficits in Nigeria and Africa.
It used the engagement of foreign technical expertise in large-scale industrial projects as a case study.
The Ministry, in a statement by Boriowo Folasade Director, Press and Public Relations, welcomed the renewed public discourse on skills development, technical capacity, and workforce readiness.
It said "The issues highlighted reinforce the urgency of ongoing reforms being implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the area of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
"Recognising that sustainable development is driven by skilled human capital, the Federal Ministry of Education has positioned TVET as a national priority in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
"Accordingly, the Ministry launched the TVET Initiative to reposition technical education as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation."
The Federal Ministry of Education through TVET Initiative noted that it has re-awaken the interest of youth in TVET (Technical and Vocational education and training) which "we have now launched in an expansive manner. Currently over 100,000 students are now being trained and equipped with industry relevant skills in over 1600 technical and vocational training programmes across Federal and State Technical Colleges, Skills Training Centres, and accredited Vocational Enterprise Institutions across the country."
The statement said that the initial batch of 100,000 Nigerians is part of the first cohort of 250,000 that will be fully enrolled in the next two to three months.
It added that there are plans to train over one million young Nigerians within the next two years with industry relevant skills to meet both local , regional and Global demands for technical based jobs.
"We are delighted to announce that the TVET Initiative roll out has been a phenomenal success so far.
"These programmes are focused on priority skills aligned with national development objectives and current labour market demands.
"The TVET Initiative targets large-scale skills production in areas such as industrial mechanics, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, mechatronics, solar photovoltaic installation, compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion and maintenance, refrigeration and HVAC, ICT, and other industry-driven technical skills.
"Training programmes are designed in collaboration with industry to ensure that graduates are not only certified, but employable and job-ready."
According to the statement, technical institutions are being revitalised through curriculum updates, modern equipment deployment, instructor capacity development, and strengthened quality assurance systems.
Trained Quality Assurance Assessors and Internal Quality Assurance Managers, it said, have been deployed nationwide to ensure training outcomes meet national occupational standards and international benchmarks.
It continued "To support access, retention, and successful completion, the Federal Government is providing structured stipends to trainees under the TVET Initiative. The first tranche of payments has been released to training centres, alongside stipend disbursements to beneficiaries, reinforcing accountability and programme sustainability.
"The Ministry is also leveraging international partnerships to support curriculum modernisation, instructor training, and institutional strengthening. These collaborations are focused on long-term capacity building and knowledge transfer, not the substitution of Nigerian labour.
"The TVET Initiative constitutes Nigeria’s structured and sustainable response to this challenge.
"The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to building a skills-driven economy where Nigerians are equipped to operate, maintain, and expand the nation’s industries, ensuring that they are active participants and leaders in Nigeria’s development." the statement stated