The Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the World Bank, has commenced an extensive training initiative targeting over 1,500 youths in Kano. The program focuses on equipping participants with practical skills in carpentry, phone and computer repairs, creative media production, catering, fish farming and management, ICT, and more.

This initiative is part of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IDEAS‑TVET) program, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s technical and vocational education landscape and combating youth unemployment.

At the official launch, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by National Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator Shedrack Tukura, highlighted the program as a pivotal step towards modernizing vocational training in Nigeria.

He stressed the significance of industry-relevant skills for both formal and informal sectors, noting that the program, which began in 2022, has already enrolled over 250,000 youths across 2,600 centers nationwide, with an ambitious goal to reach one million beneficiaries.

The current phase encompasses more than 36 skill areas, with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, employability, and competency-based learning. Dr. Alausa pointed out that while more than 1.7 million graduates enter the labor market annually, many lack the specific technical skills needed by employers. “To address this, we must empower our youths not only to seek jobs but also to create them. Vocational training increases the likelihood of gainful employment by up to 40 percent,” he stated.

Participants will benefit from monthly stipends, start-up support, and internationally recognized certifications, enabling them to establish businesses or secure employment locally and abroad.

Abdulganiyyu Rufai Yakub, speaking on behalf of the eight training service providers, emphasized that the project adopts a British-inspired certification model focused on practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge. He outlined the program’s three foundational pillars: competency-based skills training, job matching to facilitate economic integration, and hands-on industrial experience, ensuring that trainees gain market-relevant expertise beyond classroom instruction.