By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Federal Government has commenced the training of 960,000 Nigerian youths verified for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme aimed at equipping them with practical and entrepreneurial skills.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection of partner centres in Abuja, including the AFS Vocational Hub in Garki and Golden Finger Farms and Ranches Limited along the Kubwa–Zuba Expressway.
Alausa said over 250,000 trainees are already undergoing practical sessions across 2,600 accredited centres nationwide.
“From when we started conceiving this TVET initiative eight months ago to now seeing the first quarter of students being trained, it shows what is possible when there’s commitment,” he said.
He explained that the programme, aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to make youths self-reliant and job creators rather than job seekers.
According to him, 1.3 million applicants registered within ten days, but the portal was closed early after verification confirmed 960,000 participants using their NIN and BVN.
He added that training covers 28 key skill areas, including fashion design, GSM repair, plumbing, livestock production, tiling, and modern farming, with a curriculum that is 90 per cent practical.
Alausa also revealed that participants would receive starter packs and business grants upon completion of their training to enable them to establish small-scale enterprises.
“This administration is determined to empower our young people with relevant skills that will drive innovation, productivity, and national development,” he said.
The programme is being implemented across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure nationwide inclusion.