The Federal Government has officially launched the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative — a major programme aimed at reducing youth unemployment by equipping young Nigerians with practical, market-ready skills.
The flag-off ceremony took place at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Orozo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marking the beginning of technical and vocational training for youths within the Abuja zone.
3,000 Youths to Be Trained in Abuja Zone
Under the scheme, 3,000 youths will undergo intensive training over a six-month period.
Participants will receive monthly stipends and starter packs upon completion to support their transition into employment or entrepreneurship.
The programme is designed to provide hands-on skills across multiple trades, encouraging self-reliance and job creation.
Extensive Monitoring for Accountability
National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS Programme, Blessing Ogwu, said government has put comprehensive monitoring structures in place to ensure effective delivery.
According to her:
Each of the 774 local government areas has a designated monitoring officer.
Zonal Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers have also been deployed.
An independent third-party monitoring team will report directly to the Minister of Education.
The funding model was carefully structured to ensure long-term sustainability.
Ogwu added that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms in technical education, including the conversion of former science and technical colleges into full-fledged technical colleges to promote technological development.
Training Providers Mobilized
Chairman of the Training Service Providers (TSPs) Committee, Dr. Bright Omezuike, said the launch attracted 20 training providers, each assigned 20 trainees for the first phase.
Omezuike explained that the initial exercise focused on enlightening participants on the programme’s purpose, adding that interest and engagement have been encouraging.
“We are confident the programme will be sustained effectively,” he said.
A Historic Milestone
Director and Principal of FSTC Orozo, Omale Frank, described the launch as a historic step in the nation’s efforts to empower young people.
According to him, the IDEAS–TVET framework “bridges the gap between learning and livelihood,” aligning perfectly with the institution’s mandate to produce skilled, innovative, and self-reliant youths.
He urged participants to embrace the opportunity, saying it offers a pathway to transforming their economic future.
World Bank–Supported Project
The initiative is funded through a World Bank credit obtained by the Federal Ministry of Education to strengthen Nigeria’s TVET system.
The IDEAS project aims to:
Improve skills acquisition nationwide
Address gaps in training delivery
Improve alignment between training institutions and industry needs
Attract private-sector collaboration and investment into the skills ecosystem
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