By Ibukun Emiola
The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has flagged off the Cohort 2 of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IDEAS-TVET) initiative in Oyo State.
The programme, funded by the World Bank with 200 million dollars support, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills to boost employability, entrepreneurship and national development.
The initiative was flagged off on Thursday in Ibadan by the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, represented by Mrs Gbemisola Olaniyan, the Deputy Director, Technical Training Programme, Federal Ministry of Education.
The minister said the initiative reflected the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to repositioning technical and vocational education in the country.
He said the programme was part of deliberate efforts to tackle youth unemployment, foster innovation and promote inclusive development.
According to him, the ministry has made education free in federal technical colleges from TVET 1 to TVET 3.
Alausa said Nigerians under the IDEA programme are provided with stipends to encourage enrolment and completion.
“This is the first time there is such an intentional move to truly support young Nigerians in acquiring technical skills.
“Government is not only training beneficiaries but also monitoring them to ensure they become self-reliant and productive after graduation,” he said.
The minister urged participants to take the opportunity seriously, remain committed to their training and see themselves as critical contributors to national development.
“Technical skills matter. What you do with your hands can create wealth and even provide employment for others. You matter in the development equation of this country,” she said.
Earlier, a Training Service Provider (TSP) under the project, Mrs Kofoworola Nwosu, described the initiative as a landmark intervention of the ministry.
Nwosu, who is also the Managing Director of CoopEdu Limited, said the neglect of technical and vocational education had slowed Nigeria’s industrial and economic growth.
“The IDEAS-TVET programme signals a new dawn and a decisive shift towards hands-on skills, productivity and self-reliance.
“As training service providers, we are committed to mentoring and equipping a new generation of skilled, innovative and entrepreneurial youth,” she said.
In his overview of the project, the Deputy Director Production, IDEAS National Project Secretariat, Mr Aleshe Ademuyiwa, said the initiative was conceived by the ministry and supported by the World Bank.
He noted that this was to strengthen Nigeria’s technical education system.
Ademuyiwa said the project had four components, including funding support to technical colleges, in-service training for the informal sector, special training for teachers and institutional reforms.
He disclosed that about 40,000 young Nigerians were currently undergoing training in various skills across the country, with additional cohorts expected to expand access.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Dr Mofoluke Ibitoye, represented by Mrs Bola Dada, Deputy Director, Child Welfare, said the initiative was vital to addressing youth unemployment.
She stated that it would also promote socio-economic development in the state.
The Training Service Providers at the event included the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, CoopEdu, Leverage Seeds, Novel Academy, and Christopher-Kings Advisory.
Others are Techware Professional Services Limited, HCT, AutoClinic and AIMA Integrated Management Consulting Limited.
