The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria into a skills-driven economy, describing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a critical pillar for industrial growth, job creation and national productivity.

Speaking at the National TVET Conference 2026 in Lagos, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is repositioning the education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda to produce innovators, entrepreneurs, technicians and job creators capable of driving economic growth.

According to the minister, nearly five million young Nigerians enter the labour market annually, making investment in industry-relevant skills essential for sustainable development. He disclosed that through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), the government is strengthening the National Skills Qualification Framework, improving quality assurance mechanisms and expanding competency-based training nationwide.

Dr. Alausa revealed that more than 150,000 Nigerians are currently undergoing skills training in over 1,600 accredited centres across the country. The programme, he said, is supported by thousands of trained instructors and quality assurance officers to ensure that trainees acquire employable and industry-relevant skills.

He noted that the next phase of the TVET reform programme would focus on scaling quality training, strengthening partnerships with the private sector and improving labour market linkages. He identified emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing as key areas that will shape future employment opportunities in Nigeria.

In recognition of his contributions to skills development and technical education reforms, the minister was honoured with the TVET Champion of the Year Award during the conference.

Representing the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, described TVET as a strategic pathway to employment, innovation and national development. He emphasized the need to equip young Nigerians with practical, digital and entrepreneurial skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.

Hamzat highlighted Lagos State’s investments in technical colleges, industry partnerships and hands-on training programmes, while calling for stronger collaboration among government agencies, industries and development partners to build a robust skills-driven economy.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to making TVET a major driver of employment, inclusion and green growth. He stressed the importance of aligning training outcomes with labour market needs and commended initiatives such as WorldSkills Nigeria for promoting excellence in vocational education.

International development partners also expressed support for Nigeria’s TVET reforms. The Consul General of Switzerland, Conny Cammezind, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to youth employment and entrepreneurship, while Germany’s Consul General, Daniel Krull, praised the Renewed Hope TVET Initiative and the SKYE II Programme for advancing demand-driven skills development.

Chair of the TVET Donor and Development Partners Working Group, Karen Jansen, described the conference as a strategic platform for strengthening employability, inclusion and green growth through enhanced policy coordination and the integration of digital and green skills.

The three-day conference, themed “Harnessing TVET as a Pathway to Employment: Building a System for Employability, Inclusion and Green Growth in Nigeria,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders and development partners to explore ways of strengthening Nigeria’s skills ecosystem and accelerating economic transformation.