The Federal Ministry of Education has commenced a two-day capacity-building workshop for State Project Monitoring Officers (PMOs) under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme as part of preparations for the rollout of Cohort 2.

The workshop, themed “Strengthening Monitoring, Compliance and Programme Delivery for Cohort 2 Implementation,” is designed to enhance the capacity of State PMOs to effectively monitor training centres, support implementation processes, and ensure beneficiaries receive quality skills training under the Federal Government’s flagship TVET initiative.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, the National Coordinator of Special Programmes under the Honourable Minister of Education, Adebayo Onigbanjo, described the training as a critical step toward consolidating the gains recorded in the programme and maintaining implementation standards nationwide.

He noted that State PMOs serve as the Ministry’s representatives on the field, responsible for monitoring accredited training centres, validating compliance with programme guidelines, and ensuring trainees receive quality instruction aligned with national development objectives.

According to Onigbanjo, the TVET programme remains one of the key pillars of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), aimed at equipping Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant, and employable skills.

He explained that the workshop was designed to ensure monitoring officers are fully equipped with the knowledge and tools required to effectively support training centres and oversee programme implementation.

Onigbanjo further disclosed that participants are being trained on the use of biometric registration systems deployed across training centres to strengthen data integrity, beneficiary verification, and accountability.

He emphasized that transparency remains central to the TVET initiative, noting that technology is being leveraged alongside human oversight to ensure accountability throughout the programme.

“Every trainee is biometrically registered, and all payments are made directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, thereby eliminating opportunities for abuse and ensuring that support reaches the intended recipients,” he said.

The National Coordinator also highlighted the growing importance of State PMOs, noting that the programme currently has over 1,600 accredited training centres spread across the country and present in nearly every local government area.

Also speaking, the National Project Monitoring Officer for TVET and IDEAS, Odewunmi Olatunji, said the workshop provides an opportunity to review lessons learned during the first phase of implementation and strengthen preparations for Cohort 2.

He explained that the engagement offers a platform for direct interaction between national and state-level officers, enabling stakeholders to identify challenges encountered during the first phase and develop practical solutions to improve programme delivery.

“The experiences of officers directly involved in implementation are invaluable in helping us address gaps, improve coordination, and ensure that challenges encountered during the first phase are not repeated in the next cycle,” Olatunji stated.

He added that the workshop has brought together key stakeholders involved in programme implementation, including officials of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), representatives of biometric registration service providers, and other collaborating partners to ensure alignment ahead of Cohort 2.

According to him, discussions during the workshop focus on funding processes, payments to training centres and beneficiaries, compliance requirements, reporting frameworks, accreditation procedures, and strategies for improving programme performance nationwide.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of driving national development through quality technical and vocational education, stressing that effective monitoring, transparency, and accountability remain crucial to the success and sustainability of the TVET programme.

The workshop is expected to produce a unified monitoring framework and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders as preparations intensify for the nationwide launch of Cohort 2.