TVET Enrolment Nears 250,000 as FG Prioritises Job-Ready Skills

ABUJA, Nigeria – Nearly 250,000 Nigerians are enrolled in or undergoing training under the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, as the government shifts towards skills-based education and stronger links between training and employment.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during a panel session titled “Building Nigeria’s Future Workforce” at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.

According to a Federal Ministry of Education press release issued on Tuesday, 27 October, the programme operates through more than 1,200 accredited training centres nationwide. Alausa said the government had reduced the programme’s training areas from 82 to 28 trades considered more relevant to labour-market needs following an assessment of skills gaps.

He added that about 80 per cent of the training focused on practical learning, while the remaining 20 per cent covered theory. Under the programme, trainees receive ₦30,000 monthly, while participating centres receive ₦50,000 per learner to support training delivery.

The minister also disclosed that the latest TVET application portal attracted approximately 1.4 million applications within two weeks, reflecting strong demand for vocational training. However, the number of applications does not represent the number of people admitted, enrolled or completing training. 

Alausa said the government had also introduced a revised national curriculum in the 2025/2026 academic session, incorporating digital technology and trade subjects to strengthen practical competencies and prepare students for changing economic demands. On access to higher education, he said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund had disbursed ₦372.62 billion to students and participating institutions as of 29 September 2026.

The government was also piloting an entrepreneurship and business incubation certification programme in 14 universities, with plans to expand it in the next academic session. Alausa urged employers and industry operators to participate in curriculum development, occupational standards, practical assessments and workplace training.