The Federal Government and its international development partners have renewed efforts to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a key strategy for tackling unemployment, improving workforce readiness and supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.
The commitment was reaffirmed at the 2026 National TVET Conference, held in Lagos on Monday, where government officials and development partners stressed the need to equip Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills to meet changing labour market demands.
The conference, themed “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 development partners, including GIZ; the governments of Germany, Switzerland and France; the European Union; UNICEF; and the International Organization for Migration.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said Nigeria’s workforce development agenda must adapt to a rapidly changing world shaped by technological innovation, artificial intelligence, automation and climate-related transitions. According to him, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has repositioned TVET from an alternative learning pathway to a national priority aimed at producing a skilled and employable workforce.
“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,” Alausa said. He described skills development as an economic imperative, noting that countries investing heavily in workforce capabilities today would be better positioned to compete in future economies.
The minister urged students, particularly those studying engineering and related disciplines, to complement academic qualifications with practical vocational skills that improve employability and workplace readiness.
Providing an update on the government’s TVET programme, Alausa disclosed that more than 1.3 million Nigerians initiated applications when the TVET portal was launched, while over 963,000 completed the registration process. He added that more than 150,000 trainees are currently undergoing skills training across the country.
“Our goal is clear: every TVET graduate should possess relevant, marketable and certified skills linked to economic opportunities,” he said. The minister noted that the government’s objective is not only to prepare Nigerians for existing jobs but also to develop a workforce capable of driving innovation and creating new economic opportunities.
International partners at the conference also highlighted the role of skills development in addressing unemployment and supporting inclusive economic growth. The German Consul-General, Daniel Krull, commended the government’s commitment to TVET reforms and pledged continued support for programmes that promote demand-driven skills development, employment creation and private-sector participation. “Germany will continue to support Nigeria on its trajectory towards industrialisation,” he said.
Similarly, the Swiss Consul-General, Conny Cammezind, said modern TVET systems extend beyond preparing individuals for specific occupations and now focus on equipping workers with adaptability, innovation and lifelong learning capabilities. She said investing in skills aligned with labour market needs would be critical to unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population and strengthening workforce participation. “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.
Also speaking, Karin Jansen, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy and Chair of the TVET Development Partners Working Group, described skills development as essential for youth employment, industrial competitiveness and social inclusion. According to her, the conference was designed to explore how Nigeria’s TVET system can become more industry-responsive, demand-driven and sustainable. “The conference is designed to explore how Nigeria’s TVET system can become more demand-driven, industry-responsive, inclusive and sustainable,” she said.
The Head of Cooperation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, emphasised the importance of integrating TVET into broader employability strategies. He noted that the EU is collaborating with the Office of the Vice President on initiatives aimed at expanding employment opportunities and improving workforce outcomes for young Nigerians.
The renewed focus on TVET comes as employers increasingly seek workers with practical and technical competencies that match evolving industry needs. Stakeholders at the conference argued that strengthening vocational education could help bridge skills gaps, improve labour market outcomes and create a pipeline of talent capable of supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation and green growth ambitions.
