• Nigeria launches TVET programme targeting 1.3 million youths nationwide
  
• Training spans 1,600 centres, offers stipends and start-up kits
  
• Scheme aims to tackle youth unemployment, skills gaps

The Nigerian federal government has launched a large-scale technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programme to teach 1.3 million young people in-demand skills, local media outlets reported on Tuesday. Deployed across 1,600 accredited centres, the initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda, which makes human capital development a key driver of economic recovery.

The programme also provides a monthly stipend to cover living costs, transport, tuition fees and, for graduates, start-up kits. “Training activities are underway across our accredited centers, equipping young Nigerians with competencies in priority sectors including manufacturing, construction, energy, automotive services, agriculture, technology, and the digital economy,” said Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa, quoted by MSME Africa.

To better align the skills taught with labour market needs, the programme relies on partnerships with several leading industrial and telecom groups. They are expected to provide facilities, technical expertise and internship opportunities. According to the minister, these collaborations should help build “a highly skilled and globally competitive workforce,” a cornerstone of the country’s industrial strategy.

The initiative comes at a time when, despite a slight improvement in official indicators, the labour market remains under pressure. According to the Nigeria Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2024, published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the overall unemployment rate fell to 4.3% from 5.3% in the previous quarter. Youth unemployment among those aged 15–24 remains high at 6.5%, although it is down from 8.4% at the start of the year.

The figures show a relative improvement but also persistent disparities. People with secondary-level education are more affected than those with basic training, while urban areas record higher unemployment rates than rural areas, according to the NBS.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou