The Federal Ministry of Education has entered into a strategic partnership with the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) to strengthen and modernize Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the collaboration during an official visit to UDST, where he was received by the university’s President, Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, and other senior officials. The minister toured the institution’s internationally acclaimed Certificate School, which is known for its strong focus on competency-based training, hands-on learning, and industry-recognized certifications.
Dr. Alausa commended the university’s emphasis on practical skills and workplace readiness, noting that such standards are crucial to Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in the TVET sector.
He disclosed that the partnership will focus on three major areas:
1. Faculty Exchange and Train-the-Trainer Programmes
Under this initiative, Nigerian technical instructors will undergo advanced training at UDST in key technical fields including plumbing, welding, HVAC, electrical installation, and solar photovoltaic technology. The programme is expected to significantly upgrade Nigeria’s technical teaching capacity and align it with global best practices.
2. Quality Assurance and International Certification
UDST will support Nigeria in strengthening its quality assurance framework to ensure that certificates, diplomas, and degrees issued by Nigerian technical institutions meet international standards. This step aims to make Nigerian TVET qualifications widely acceptable across Europe, North America, and other global regions.
3. Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Business Incubation
The partnership will also leverage UDST’s innovation and entrepreneurship centres to support Nigerian youth in developing viable enterprises. Beneficiaries will be trained to become micro, small, and large-scale entrepreneurs, with opportunities to grow into high-impact innovators and potentially unicorn-level businesses.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a globally competitive workforce capable of accelerating economic growth. He noted that the collaboration with UDST underscores Nigeria’s dedication to expanding TVET opportunities and aligning skills development with international benchmarks.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
