The Federal Government has unveiled plans to train more than 30,000 Nigerian youths in the second phase of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative.
The programme, which kicks off on August 25, will cover 36 skill areas across the country. It is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with funding from the World Bank-supported IDEAS project, designed to strengthen Nigeria’s technical and vocational education system.
Speaking at a workshop in Abuja, National Project Coordinator, Blessing Ogwu, said the training is targeted at bridging the nation’s skills gap and aligning learning with industry demands. According to her, $130 million of the $200 million loan secured from the World Bank has already been released to finance the project.
She explained that the initiative leverages private sector involvement to guarantee higher training quality and ensure that graduates are better equipped for employment. “This TVET initiative is a strategic intervention to address youth unemployment. By partnering with reputable Training Service Providers, we aim to deliver training that matches labour market demands,” she said.
World Bank Co-Task Team Leader, Dr. Mistura Rufai, noted that the second phase would last six months, with participants not only receiving hands-on training but also certification under the National Skills Qualification Framework. She stressed that the project was conceived to ensure Nigerian youths gain practical competencies that translate into real jobs and economic opportunities.
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