F G Trains Over 124,000 Nigerians in Vocational, Technical Skills Under IDEAS as Beneficiaries receive ₦30,000 monthly stipends

F G Trains Over 124,000 Nigerians in Vocational, Technical Skills Under IDEAS as Beneficiaries receive ₦30,000 monthly stipends

…Odewunmi highlights nationwide reach, start-up support

By Gabriel Kekong

Abuja (Core Reporters) The Federal Government’s efforts to expand access to vocational and technical skills training have reached over 124,000 Nigerians currently undergoing training in diverse fields across the country under its Innovation Development and Effectiveness in Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the nation’s skilled workforce and promote economic self-reliance.

The National Project Monitoring Officer for TVET and IDEAS in the Office of the Honourable Minister of Education, Mr. Olatunji Odewunmi, disclosed this during a monitoring and assessment visit to selected IDEAS Project training centres in Lagos State, highlighting the nationwide reach of the intervention and the government’s commitment to equipping Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant competencies.

The monitoring exercise covered Elegant Twins Institute of Cosmetology, Surulere, and Federal Technical College (FTC), Yaba. It assessed the quality of training delivery, institutional performance, compliance with programme requirements and the progress made by beneficiaries in acquiring skills relevant to the demands of the labour market.

The IDEAS Project, a Federal Government initiative supported by the World Bank and implemented through the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, improve institutional capacity and equip learners with practical competencies for employment and entrepreneurship. It complements the government’s broader TVET reform agenda under Pillar One of the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

Speaking during the exercise, Odewunmi explained that the participation of over 124,000 Nigerians demonstrates the scale of the government’s intervention in expanding access to vocational education, addressing critical skills gaps and strengthening local technical capacity.

He disclosed that Lagos State alone has approximately 128 TVET centres providing opportunities for Nigerians to acquire technical and vocational skills.

On the financial provisions of the programme, Odewunmi explained that each beneficiary receives a monthly stipend of ₦30,000 throughout the six-month training period to support their participation. Training Service Providers, on the other hand, receive ₦50,000 monthly per trainee as training fees, amounting to a total of ₦300,000 for each trainee over the six-month period to facilitate effective training delivery.

He added that beneficiaries are also entitled to start-up packs to support them in applying their newly acquired competencies, establishing businesses and becoming economically self-reliant. He disclosed that some beneficiaries had already started receiving their start-up packs, providing practical support for their transition from training to enterprise development.

According to him, the intervention is aimed at developing a competent local workforce, reducing dependence on foreign artisans and equipping young Nigerians with the technical abilities required to secure employment, establish businesses and contribute to national productivity.

He stressed that monitoring and evaluation are essential to ensuring that participating institutions fulfil their obligations, maintain established standards and deliver quality training that justifies government investment.

Odewunmi also commended Elegant Twins Institute for the quality of instruction, practical training and enthusiasm demonstrated by beneficiaries, noting that the monitoring exercise was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen accountability and ensure value for money.

At Federal Technical College, Yaba, the IDEAS Project Manager, Abimbola Oyedeji, disclosed that the intervention, which commenced about five years ago, had contributed to increased student enrolment and improved practical skills training at the institution.

She identified the supported vocational areas as Blocklaying and Concreting, Tiling, Woodwork, Auto Body Building and Computer Craft, covering practical competencies in block production, tile installation, furniture making, upholstery, carpentry, joinery, panel beating, automobile mechanics, Information and Communication Technology and Robotics Engineering. Catering Craft is also covered under the programme.

Oyedeji appreciated the Federal Government for its support in strengthening technical education, improving institutional capacity and providing students with opportunities to acquire competencies relevant to the world of work.

At Elegant Twins Institute of Cosmetology, the Centre Manager, Kunle Oladunjoye, disclosed that the institute had been selected as a Training Service Provider under the project to train 75 beneficiaries in beauty and cosmetology.

He described the selection process as transparent and merit-based, involving interviews and verification of applicants’ information. He explained that qualified professional instructors, including former students with substantial industry experience, were delivering the training.

According to him, beneficiaries had demonstrated encouraging progress and were acquiring the practical abilities and confidence required to establish businesses in the beauty and cosmetology industry. He commended the Federal Government for meeting its financial obligations to the training centre and providing monthly stipends for beneficiaries.

The Founder of the institute, Mrs. Elizabeth Adebisi Oshisoya, who traced her involvement in cosmetology training to 1950, described the intervention as an important opportunity to expand access to professional vocational skills.

Recalling her longstanding training activities in Ibadan, Ijebu and Calabar, she expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for supporting vocational empowerment and self-reliance.

The value of the intervention was also reflected in the experiences of beneficiaries across the two institutions.

At Elegant Twins Institute, Abdulhakeem Shamsudeen said he had acquired additional skills in nail technology and makeup, building on his previous knowledge of the beauty industry. He confirmed that the training was free and that he received the monthly ₦30,000 stipend.

Similarly, Omotosho Okwemi commended the government for providing free vocational training and financial support, while Boma Messe-Britz highlighted the practical knowledge she had acquired in makeup, hairdressing, nail technology and spa services. The beneficiaries praised their instructors and called for the continuation of the initiative to enable more Nigerians to benefit.

At FTC Yaba, Leo Uzoma commended the Federal Government for providing free training and equipment, noting that access to appropriate facilities had enhanced his practical learning experience.

Oni Oluwada said the programme had improved his knowledge of electrical installation, including basic electrical connections and socket installation. Another beneficiary, Adebayo Mowufin Oluwada, explained that the training was helping her strengthen her knowledge of electrical installation in preparation for further studies and a career in electrical engineering.

The monitoring exercise underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that investments in technical and vocational education translate into quality training, institutional improvement and measurable benefits for Nigerians. Through direct engagement with project managers, training providers, instructors and beneficiaries, the Federal Ministry of Education continues to assess implementation, identify areas requiring improvement and ensure compliance with established standards.

The Federal Government reaffirms its commitment to sustaining and strengthening the IDEAS Project and other TVET interventions through continued investment, effective monitoring, institutional capacity development and quality assurance. With over 124,000 Nigerians currently undergoing training in diverse vocational and technical fields, the government remains focused on expanding access to relevant skills, supporting the transition from training to productive enterprise and developing a competent workforce capable of meeting industry demands, creating employment and driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.