The Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the World Bank, has officially flagged off the IDEAS–TVET Skills Acquis...
The Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the World Bank, has officially flagged off the IDEAS–TVET Skills Acquisition Initiative in Zaria, Kaduna State, aimed at equipping over 500 youths with practical and employable skills.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Sulaiman Balarabe Chamber of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, on February 25, 2026, brought together key stakeholders, training service providers, government representatives, and beneficiaries.
The programme is being implemented through selected training service providers, including the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), the Directorate of Skills Development and Linkages of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, and the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation.
Participants will undergo a six-month intensive training programme structured into two phases: three months of hands-on practical instruction using industry-relevant tools and equipment, followed by a three-month internship placement with established enterprises to gain real-world experience.
The high-demand skill areas include Autobody Work (Panel Beating), Fashion Design, Garment Making, and Leather Works — sectors identified for their strong employment potential and capacity to stimulate micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS–TVET Initiative, Mrs. Blessing Ogwu,
who was represented by the World Bank Environmental Consultant on the IDEAS–TVET Project, Dr. Marcus Idoko, said the programme is being flagged off simultaneously in three strategic centres, describing it as a milestone in fulfilling one of the core promises of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She revealed that over 40,000 trainees have already benefited from the IDEAS–TVET Project nationwide, with beneficiaries drawn from all six geopolitical zones in line with the federal character principle.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Professor Yahaya Isa Bunkure, emphasized the importance of skills acquisition in addressing unemployment challenges.
He noted that white-collar jobs are no longer easily accessible, even for graduates with advanced degrees, stressing that programmes like IDEAS–TVET would go a long way in minimizing unemployment.
In his opening remarks, the Director General of Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Dr. Bayero Salihu Farah, represented by the Director of the Transport Technology Centre, Dr. Joshua A. Odeleye, described the initiative as a transformative skills development programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s deliberate investment in human capital development, ensuring that young people are equipped not just with certificates but with practical competencies that translate into meaningful employment and sustainable enterprises.
In her closing remarks, the Northern Regional Co-ordinator of the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation, Hajiya Adama Haruna Abdul Malik, said the foundation has enrolled 100 trainees — 50 in Fashion Design and Garment Making, and 50 in Leather Works — for the six-month programme.
She advised participants to take the training seriously and view it as a lifelong livelihood opportunity rather than a short-term source of income.
“You need to learn a skill. Whatever certificate you have, you will still be asked about your skill. It is paramount that you take this seriously,” she said.
She further urged trainees to remain committed to their learning.
According to her, participants should not see the training as a quick way to make money, but rather as a pathway to building a sustainable livelihood and a better future.
“A skill is not something you acquire casually,” she said. “It requires dedication and focus. Once you learn a skill properly, it stays with you for life. Not only that, you can also pass it on to others, and the impact continues beyond you.”
She stressed that in the current economic climate, acquiring practical skills has become increasingly important.
“No matter the certificate you hold, you will always be asked what skill you have. That is why it is essential for trainees to take this opportunity seriously, adhere to the rules, remain disciplined, and be punctual. If they do so, the sky will be their limit,” she added.
She also encouraged young people to embrace self-reliance in all their endeavors. Rather than waiting for government employment, she urged them to create opportunities for themselves through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
“Youths should not depend solely on the government for jobs. They can create their own opportunities by learning and mastering practical skills,” she said.
She further noted that the Ajoke Asiyat Afolabi Foundation provides a platform where individuals can learn various vocational skills at convenient times, making it accessible to those willing to improve their lives through empowerment and self-development.
The ceremony marked the official commencement of training activities across the three centres in Zaria, signaling what stakeholders described as a new phase of transformation for participants, industries, and the nation at large.
No comments