WorldStage– The Federal Government of Nigeria 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.
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 the President Bola Tinubu administration had elevated TVET from an alternative education pathway to a national priority.
According to him, rapid technological advancement, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation and climate adaptation are reshaping the future of work globally.
He said countries investing heavily in skills development today would dominate the economies of tomorrow.
“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.
“For too long, our education system produced job seekers. Today, we are transforming it into one that produces innovators, technicians, entrepreneurs, artisans, manufacturers and job creators,” he said.
Alausa described TVET as the future of education and urged students, particularly those studying engineering and related disciplines, to acquire practical skills alongside their academic qualifications.
He disclosed that more than 1.3 million Nigerians initiated applications when the TVET portal was launched, while over 963,000 completed the process.
According to him, 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.
Also speaking, 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 said Germany would continue to support initiatives that promote demand-driven skills development, employment creation, private-sector participation and inclusive economic growth.
“Germany will continue to support Nigeria on its trajectory towards industrialisation,” he said.
Also, the Consul-General of Switzerland, Ms Conny Cammezind, said 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.
“We recognise the enormous potential of Nigeria’s youthful population and the importance of investing in skills that respond to current and future labour market demands,” she said.
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 said strengthening the TVET system was critical to economic transformation, youth employment, industrial competitiveness, social inclusion and the green transition.
“The conference is designed to explore how Nigeria’s TVET system can become more demand-driven, industry-responsive, inclusive and sustainable,” she said.
Also, 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.
According to him, TVET should be viewed within a broader employability agenda aimed at equipping Nigerians with skills required in the labour market.He noted that the EU was working with the Office of the Vice President on initiatives to improve employability and expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
