• 12.5% of Nigerian youth were NEET in Q2 2024; the government aims to close this gap with practical skills training.
• NBTE and the Ministry of Education launched a new national framework to align education with job market needs.
• Success depends on steady funding, clear governance, and strong on-the-ground oversight.

Nigeria’s National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has launched a new national training system. Unveiled on May 11 at the Institute of Industrial Technology in Lagos, the program aims to make technical education more practical, better aligned with labor market demands, and more rewarding for both trainees and their instructors.

A key feature of the initiative is the joint compensation of trainees and their master artisans, designed to promote quality mentorship and hands-on learning. The plan also calls for the deployment of 774 local evaluators, one in each local government area of Nigeria, to oversee and ensure the quality of training delivered nationwide.

This shift toward skills-based learning comes at a critical time. Each year, around 500,000 technical graduates enter Nigeria’s job market, many of whom lack the practical skills required in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and renewable energy. The new model aims to better equip the youth for real-world employment.

According to Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the NBTE degrees are not as important as skills in the current job market. “We are moving toward a skills-driven economy,” he said.

The need for reform is urgent in a country where, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 92% of jobs remain in the informal economy. The federal government is now prioritizing vocational training to make education more practical and job-relevant.

This initiative is also part of a broader continental strategy. The World Economic Forum projects that 78 million new technical jobs could be created globally by 2030, particularly in sectors tied to clean energy and artificial intelligence.

To support this transition, the NBTE plans to create a National Skills Fund, backed by the government, the private sector, and international partners. The fund aims to reshape technical training across Nigeria. However, its success will depend on sustained funding, sound governance, and effective oversight at the local level.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou (intern)