FG Upgrades 38 Technical Colleges to Bridge Youth Skills Gap and Boost Job Readiness
Education Minister unveils major reforms targeting practical training, exam digitisation, and skill-based learning to prepare Nigerian youths for the global workforce.
The Federal Government has upgraded 38 technical colleges across Nigeria in a bid to enhance youth employability and transition the country toward a skill-driven economy.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this announcement during the 2025 edition of the Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement on the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), held Monday in Abuja. The initiative forms the backbone of Nigeria’s latest educational transformation strategy.
Dr. Alausa revealed that the overhaul of both federal and state-owned technical institutions is part of a wider plan to equip Nigerian youths with practical, globally relevant skills that meet the demands of modern industries. “Our reforms are designed to shift focus from theory to practice,” the minister said, noting that students in upgraded colleges will now engage in 80% hands-on learning and 20% classroom instruction under a newly adopted dual-training model.
The minister also emphasized that NESRI is focused on six strategic priorities: improving literacy, reducing the number of out-of-school children—especially girls, promoting inclusivity, strengthening quality assurance, reforming curricula, and digitizing education data.
To further reinforce the country’s move toward a technology-driven education system, Alausa announced that beginning November 2025, the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will begin administering computer-based tests (CBT). Full digitisation of all national exams, including JAMB, is expected by 2027—a move aimed at curbing malpractice and boosting transparency.
Additionally, the minister unveiled plans to integrate artisans as mentors in technical programs, thereby creating a value chain that connects traditional skills with formal education. “Our goal is to train five million youths in high-demand skills over the next four years,” he said.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, underscored the urgency of expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), citing the reliance of some Nigerian industries on foreign talent. “We’ve witnessed companies sourcing up to 60% of their workforce from abroad. That trend must end,” she asserted.
Supporting the initiative, Permanent Secretary Abel Enitan praised the dedication of both ministers and affirmed the ministry’s resolve to deliver meaningful change in the sector.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, also pledged legislative backing for the reforms, describing education as the “cornerstone of national development.”
With the NESRI blueprint now in motion, Nigeria appears poised to bridge its skills gap and align its education sector with global standards.
