Alausa Inaugurates NBTE Governing Board, Unveils TVET Reforms to Boost Skills, Jobs
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Education Minister, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), unveiling a new wave of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with industry-relevant skills, driving industrialisation and strengthening the country’s global competitiveness.
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the board in Abuja on Thursday, describing the development as a major milestone in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education and human capital development.
Alausa said the government was repositioning TVET from being viewed as an alternative to university education to becoming a strategic pathway for economic growth, job creation and national productivity.
He also directed the board to accelerate implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund and other stakeholders to formally certify the competencies of skilled artisans under the National Skills Qualification Framework.
Alausa further called for a comprehensive review of technical education curricula to reflect Industry 4.0 by integrating digital technology, artificial intelligence, automation, green technology and advanced manufacturing into training programmes.
He urged polytechnics to strengthen programmes in engineering, applied sciences, technology and innovation while gradually phasing out non-technical courses outside their statutory mandate.
The minister also stressed the need for accountability and prudent management of public resources, saying intervention funds and capital investments must translate into measurable improvements in skills development, institutional performance and youth employment.
Responding, Chairman of the NBTE Governing Board, Prof Babatunde Salako, pledged the board’s commitment to advancing the Federal Government’s TVET reform agenda and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire marketable technical skills.
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