The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education has continued to drive measurable impact across the country, advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda through practical empowerment, modernised training, and large-scale capacity building.
Significant progress has been recorded in the following areas:
The SSA has distributed more than 100 brand-new HP laptops and introduced cutting-edge courses in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence across several institutions, including Government Secondary School, Tundun-Wada; Government Science & Technical College, Garki; and other key colleges in the FCT.
In a major boost for micro-business development, ₦100 million was mobilised to support 200 emerging entrepreneurs, each receiving a ₦500,000 startup grant. Beneficiaries also received practical training on developing profitable business plans.
Through the Yikodeen Leather Works programme, youths were trained in leather craftsmanship, with over half of the participants retained after the programme and now earning sustainable incomes from their skills.
Under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), several vocational programmes have been completed in Abuja, providing high-demand skills training in Cybersecurity, Web Development and Solar Installation to more than 2,000 beneficiaries. Participants received laptops and nationally recognised certificates. The initiative has also expanded to other states, introducing more than 1,800 youths to Graphics Design, Web Development, Fashion & Tailoring, Agropreneurship and related vocational fields.
The UNLOCK Entrepreneurship Programme attracted over 10,000 applicants, with 7,000 entering the training pipeline. More than 1,200 formal business plans were developed, and 200 top-performing entrepreneurs each received a ₦500,000 implementation grant.
Women across Abuja have benefited from the distribution of solar-powered kiosks, provided as startup infrastructure to support and strengthen their micro-enterprises.
A nationwide labour-needs analysis is underway across key economic sectors to align vocational training with real market demand. This initiative is being executed through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In January 2025, the SSA received a Professional Doctorate Degree in Business Management and Finance from the City University, Paris.
Engagements with several foreign missions—including Malaysia, Rwanda, Britain, Mexico, Czech Republic, Finland, Morocco, and The Netherlands—have focused on adopting global best practices in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and attracting foreign investment into the sector.
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education)
A specialised train-the-trainer programme for artisanal mining has also been launched. By retraining lead instructors in modern methods, the programme strengthens safety and enhances productivity across the informal mining workforce.
Vocational skills needs assessments were completed in Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres, identifying inmates’ interests and local market opportunities. The next phase—intensive vocational training in carpentry, ICT, tailoring and related fields—is set to commence at Kuje Correctional Centre, with certification included.
Across all programmes, the office has delivered documented and verifiable results: thousands of Nigerians trained, small businesses empowered, and national curricula upgraded. These outcomes reflect strong technical capacity and steadfast commitment to advancing national goals under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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