The federal government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Education's Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IDEAS-TVET) Initiative, has made significant strides in addressing unemployment and youth restiveness. According to the national project coordinator of IDEAS-TVET, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, about 80,000 Nigerians have been trained in various skills. This was disclosed during the flag-off of the training of another 900 youths in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The training, organised under Cohort 3 of the Federal Ministry of Education programme, is being implemented in collaboration with six Training Service Providers (TSPs) in Oyo State. The intensive training aims to equip youths aged between 15 and 35 with practical skills across different occupational areas. Mrs Ogwu, represented by Mrs Ihuoma Francisca, highlighted that the programme focuses on various sectors, including crop production and processing, computer hardware and cell phone repairs, aquaculture and fisheries, livestock farming, and catering and hospitality management.
A breakdown of the training slots shows that 200 trainees will be trained in crop production and processing, while 150 participants each will receive training in computer hardware and cell phone repairs, aquaculture and fisheries, livestock farming, and catering and hospitality management. Another 100 trainees will receive training in digital skills, including computer hardware and cell phone repairs. The flag-off ceremony was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
The IDEAS-TVET programme has achieved remarkable success, taking skills development directly to about 80,000 Nigerians through Training Service Providers across the country. Beneficiaries have been trained in a wide range of occupational areas, including fashion design, information and communication technology (ICT), agriculture, hospitality, construction, electrical installation, automotive-related trades, welding and fabrication, phone repairs, computer maintenance, plumbing, and solar installation.
Speaking at the ceremony, the permanent secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Mr Abiodun Adisa, urged the trainees to take their training seriously and build their careers from the opportunities available to them. He advised the youths not to despise small beginnings, emphasizing that determination and proper application of acquired skills could turn modest ventures into successful businesses.
One of the instructors, Dr Folasade Adeboyejo, who specializes in Catering and Hospitality Management, noted that the IDEAS-TVET programme is designed to strengthen practical skills development and improve access to relevant technical and vocational competencies. According to her, the programme responds to the growing need for skilled human resources capable of contributing to employment, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and local economic growth.
The programme is being implemented with the collaboration of six TSPs in Oyo State, which are playing a crucial role in providing the necessary training and expertise to the trainees. With the flag-off of the new training cohort, the federal government is expected to continue its efforts in addressing unemployment and youth restiveness through skills development and vocational training.
Key points
- The FG has trained 80,000 Nigerians in various skills under the IDEAS-TVET Initiative.
- The programme aims to equip youths with practical skills across different occupational areas.
- The training is being implemented in collaboration with six Training Service Providers (TSPs) in Oyo State.
