Lagos: The Federal Government and its international development partners have intensified efforts to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway to employment, economic growth, and industrial development. The commitment was reaffirmed at the 2026 National TVET Conference held on Monday in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference with the theme: ‘Harnessing TVET as a Pathway to Employment: Building a System for Employability, Inclusion and Green Growth in Nigeria,’ was organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with partners. The partners are the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the governments of Germany, Switzerland, and France, the European Union (EU), UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had elevated TVET from an alternative education pathway to a national priority. He highlighted how rapid technological advancement, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation, and climate adaptation are reshaping the future of work globally. He emphasised that countries investing heavily in skills development today would dominate the economies of tomorrow.
Dr Alausa stated, “For Nigeria, this is not merely an educational challenge; it is an economic imperative. Education remains a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Our greatest asset is not oil, minerals or natural resources, but our people, particularly our youthful population.” He stressed the transformation of the education system from producing job seekers to innovators, technicians, entrepreneurs, artisans, manufacturers, and job creators.
Alausa also disclosed that more than 1.3 million Nigerians initiated applications when the TVET portal was launched, while over 963,000 completed the process. He noted that more than 150,000 trainees are currently undergoing training nationwide. “Our goal is clear: every TVET graduate should possess relevant, marketable and certified skills linked to economic opportunities. Nigeria will not merely consume emerging technologies; we will develop the skilled workforce capable of creating them,” he said.
Furthermore, the German Consul-General, Mr Daniel Krull, commended the Nigerian Government for prioritising TVET reforms and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting skills development in the country. He mentioned that Germany would continue to support initiatives that promote demand-driven skills development, employment creation, private-sector participation, and inclusive economic growth.
The Consul-General of Switzerland, Ms Conny Cammezind, also spoke at the conference, saying that TVET had evolved beyond preparing individuals for trades and occupations. According to her, it now equips people with the competencies, adaptability, and innovative mindset required to thrive in rapidly changing economies. She reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting skills development, youth employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable workforce development in Nigeria.
Earlier, Dr Karin Jansen, the Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy and Chairman of the TVET Development Partners Working Group, described the conference as a strategic platform for advancing skills development. Jansen highlighted the importance of strengthening the TVET system for economic transformation, youth employment, industrial competitiveness, social inclusion, and the green transition.
Additionally, the Head of Cooperation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Massimo De Luca, emphasised the need for Nigeria to embrace TVET as a key component of its human capital development strategy. He noted that TVET should be viewed within a broader employability agenda aimed at equipping Nigerians with skills required in the labour market and mentioned the EU’s collaboration with the Office of the Vice President on initiatives to improve employability and expand opportunities for young Nigerians.