The federal government has begun technical and vocational training for 777 young Nigerians to strengthen their transition into the labour market.
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.
Obegolu spoke at the inauguration of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IDEAS-TVET) project.
He was represented by Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, First Deputy President of ACCI, at the event.
The project receives World Bank funding to expand access to quality technical and vocational education and training across Nigeria.
Obegolu said the project had trained approximately 80,000 young Nigerians nationwide across previous cohorts.
He said the 777 participants would begin the latest phase of training under the third cohort of the IDEAS Project.
According to him, seven institutions are partnering to train participants in practical skills aimed at improving employability and entrepreneurship.
He said the institutions were collaborating toward a common national objective rather than competing against one another.
Obegolu said participants would receive training in digital and creative media, beauty and cosmetology, construction, agriculture and other market-driven areas.
“The programme addressed the need for practical skills, noting that Nigeria required competent young people whose abilities matched demands in the labour market,” he said.
He explained that the training was designed to be practical, with participants expected to shoot, edit, design and produce materials during weekly learning activities.
Obegolu said trainees would graduate with certificates and portfolios demonstrating practical experience and abilities to support employment, freelancing or entrepreneurship.
He urged participants to maximise the opportunity by attending classes regularly, asking questions and practising consistently during and after the training.
The ACCI president encouraged participants to approach every assignment professionally, saying the acquired skills could remain useful throughout their careers.
He also urged training providers to deliver quality instruction, maintain accurate records and adhere strictly to approved curricula and project standards
Obegolu thanked the ministry’s IDEAS Project Coordinating Unit and the World Bank for supporting the initiative.
Miss Josephine Abiodun, one of the participants, expressed gratitude to the ministry, ACCI and other organisers for the opportunity.
“It is a big privilege, and I cannot take it for granted,” she said.
themomentng reports that the IDEAS Project is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education, supported by the World Bank.
The project is designed to expand access to quality technical and vocational education and training across Nigeria.
NAN reports that approximately 80,000 young Nigerians are being trained nationwide across the project’s cohorts to date.
Under the current cohort, participating providers deliver structured, competency-based training aligned with National Skills Qualification standards.
The training is followed by industry internships and employment support to facilitate participants’ transition into the labour market.
