Nigeria’s Youth and the Skills Question: Experts Commend FG’s Renewed Focus on Vocational Training

As Nigeria contends with the realities of a rapidly growing youth population, education experts are calling for sustained investment in technical and vocational learning as a pathway to national development. Many believe that the Federal Government’s renewed focus on practical skills acquisition marks a critical step toward addressing youth unemployment and ensuring the country’s demographic potential becomes an advantage rather than a burden.

One of such initiatives is the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project- a World Bank–supported programme under the Federal Ministry of Education aimed at strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Nigeria.

The project officially kicked off its Creative Media Production training last week at Twim Institute, Ibadan, one of the accredited training service providers under the IDEAS TVET scheme.

Speaking at the flag-off, Olumide Adeleye, founder and CEO of Twim Institute, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to vocational education, describing the initiative as “timely and forward-thinking.”
Adeleye, who has long been an advocate for skill-focused education as a solution to youth unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed delight that vocational education is receiving renewed national attention. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education, and the entire IDEAS TVET team for what he described as a “laudable and strategic” initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerians with employable skills.

“As a nation, we must prepare our young people for the future of work. Our demographic dividend can only become a strength if it is backed by relevant skills,” he said.

A doctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland’s School of Computing, and a member of both the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Adeleye emphasized that vocational learning must now extend beyond traditional crafts. “We must include creative media, digital skills, and entrepreneurship as part of modern vocational education,” he said, adding that Twim Institute’s new campus, designed to eventually train up to 1,000 learners per time, was set up with these goals in mind.

Representing Mrs. Blessing Ogwu, the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS project, Mr. Babatunde Akinrinde emphasized the importance of practical skills in today’s global economy. “The right skills can open doors across borders,” he said, reaffirming the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to supporting young Nigerians through quality vocational training.

Also in attendance was Mrs Abiodun, who represented the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Segun Olayiwola. She commended the Federal Government, development partners, and the management of Twim Institute for their collaboration in implementing the initiative. “This is a positive step toward promoting innovation and employability among our youth,” she said, urging all stakeholders to continue supporting such impactful programmes.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, represented by Mr Fasasi Ismail, also pledged the ministry’s support for the project. He described initiatives like the IDEAS training as essential for building a self-reliant and innovative generation. “Our young people are talented and creative. What they need are the right opportunities and platforms like this to showcase and apply those talents productively,” he said.

Adding to this, Mrs. Moremi Adeleye, the Training Programme Manager for the IDEAS Project at Twim Institute, urged participants to make the most of the opportunity provided by the government. She noted that while the training, internship, and certification were fully sponsored, the true success of the programme would depend on the learners’ dedication and discipline.

“This project gives participants what many young Nigerians struggle to access: free, quality training and a pathway into real careers,” she said. “The government has done its part by providing this platform; it’s now up to the trainees to take it seriously and prove that such investments yield results.”

The IDEAS project represents part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition vocational and technical education as a driver of youth empowerment and inclusive growth- a vision many experts believe could redefine Nigeria’s education and employment landscape in the years ahead.