The Federal Government has commenced the training of nearly one million Nigerian youths under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education, a transformative programme designed to produce entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), disclosed this during an inspection visit to AFS Vocational Hub in Garki and Golden Finger Farms and Ranches Limited along the Kubwa–Zuba Expressway in Abuja.

Dr. Alausa explained that over 250,000 youths are currently enrolled in the first cohort across 2,600 training centres nationwide. He described the initiative as a major milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with employable and entrepreneurial skills that drive inclusive growth.

He noted that the Ministry streamlined skill areas from 86 trades to 28 sectors critical to Nigeria’s economy, including fashion, livestock production, GSM repair, plumbing, tiling, and modern farming. The TVET curriculum, he added, is 90 percent practical and 10 percent theoretical to ensure real hands-on experience.

According to the Minister, over 1.3 million applications were received when the national portal opened, with 960,000 verified through NIN and BVN to ensure transparency. Training centres are paid directly to eliminate fraud and enhance accountability.

Each participant receives a monthly stipend of N22,500 — N17,500 for upkeep and N5,000 for transportation, while centres get N45,000 per trainee to support instruction. Graduates will also receive starter packs to help them establish small-scale enterprises.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that the initiative is designed to build a new generation of entrepreneurs with marketable skills and the capacity to sustain businesses.
“We designed this initiative to create entrepreneurs out of these students,” he said. “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.”

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the leadership and political will that revived technical and vocational education. “We have returned to the era when technical and vocational education coexisted with other forms of learning, restoring hope for millions of Nigerian youths,” he added.

The Minister revealed that many participants are graduates of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education who now have the opportunity to acquire practical skills that can make them self-reliant and globally competitive. He assured that sustainability has been built into the programme, with annual incremental funding already approved.

“The President has directed the Bank of Industry to work with the Federal Ministry of Education to support graduates of this programme with affordable loans. Beyond training, this initiative is about giving young Nigerians the opportunity to apply their skills, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.

Dr. Alausa reaffirmed that the Federal Government remains committed to expanding the programme nationwide, ensuring that every Nigerian youth who acquires a skill becomes a driver of innovation and productivity.
“Technical and vocational education now stands at the centre of our national development agenda. This is a great day for our nation,” he concluded.

To further guarantee sustainability, 5% of TETFund’s budget has been dedicated to TVET, while the Bank of Industry will offer single-digit loans, and graduates will receive grants and starter packs to launch their businesses.

At the Fashion and Garment Making Centre, trainee Margret Ogunsanya expressed gratitude for the life-changing opportunity. “Before this training, I didn’t know how to use an industrial sewing machine,” she stated. “Now, I can cut, measure, and sew professionally. I’m already planning to start my own brand,” she added.

Another trainee at the Golden Finger Farms and Ranches Limited, Mr. Henry Okonta, appreciated President Tinubu, saying, “I applied online, and now I’m learning poultry and fish farming hands-on. The government’s promise of grants and equipment gives me confidence to start my own farm.”