FG targets one million youths in mass training on vocational skills

The federal government has launched its vocational skills training scheme, targeting nearly one million youths.

Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, spoke during an inspection tour of the AFS Vocational Hub in Garki, Abuja.

He explained that over 250,000 youths are already enrolled in the first cohort across 2,600 training centres nationwide.

The minister, who was also at Golden Finger Farms & Ranches Limited in the FCT, stated that this technical and vocational education/training (TVET) initiative aims to create entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.

He said the education ministry has streamlined the skill areas from 86 trades to 28 sectors critical to the Nigerian economy.

This includes fashion, livestock production, GSM repair, plumbing, tiling, and modern farming.

Alausa noted that the TVET curriculum is heavily practical, with a 90 per cent practical and 10 per cent theoretical ratio to ensure real hands-on experience, accountability, and incentives.

The minister revealed that the national portal received over 1.3 million applications, with 960,000 verified using NIN and BVN for transparency.

Training centres, he said, are paid directly to eliminate fraud and enhance accountability.

Each participant receives a monthly stipend of N22,500, where N17,500 is for upkeep and N5,000 for transportation.

He said the centres get N45,000 per trainee.

Graduates will also be provided with starter packs to help them establish small-scale businesses.

“This government has worked meticulously to make it sustainable, and we are proud to have achieved our targets within the eight-month timeline we set,” the minister said.

Alausa said many of the participants are university, polytechnic, and college of education graduates who now have the opportunity to acquire practical skills for self-reliance.

He said annual incremental funding has been approved, and 5 per cent of TETFund’s budget has been dedicated to TVET to ensure long-term success.

He said the Bank of Industry has been directed to partner with the ministry to offer graduates single-digit, affordable loans, in addition to the grants and starter packs they will receive.

“Beyond training, this initiative is about giving young Nigerians the opportunity to apply their skills, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he affirmed.