Otamere Gladness 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria and the United Kingdom have expanded a strategic partnership aimed at equipping young Nigerians with technical and digital skills for the global workforce.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Education Minister Tunji Alausa and UK Skills Minister Baroness Smith at the Education World Forum 2026.
The partnership focuses on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital learning and apprenticeship programmes linked directly to labour market demands.
Dr Alausa says the reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at reducing unemployment and strengthening Nigeria’s workforce competitiveness.
Priority sectors include healthcare, engineering, clean energy, artificial intelligence and digital technology.
Officials say Nigeria is implementing a new skills framework centred on industry participation, quality assurance and internationally recognised accreditation.
The collaboration will involve the National Board for Technical Education and Federal Technical Colleges working with UK institutions on curriculum development, staff exchange and apprenticeship systems.
Both countries also agree to co-develop training programmes designed to better match industry needs and improve employability outcomes.
Baroness Smith commends Nigeria’s education reforms and pledges continued UK support for the Global Partnership for Education replenishment campaign scheduled for September 2026.
Education experts say the partnership could help close Nigeria’s widening digital and technical skills gap as demand for specialised labour rises globally.
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Mirian Gom 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 