The Federal Government has urged state governments to implement the National Policy on Skills Development in Formal and Non-Formal Education, with a clear plan to monitor progress and ensure accountability in delivering industry-relevant training across the country.
Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, disclosed this during the Northern Region Sensitisation and Dissemination Workshop held in Kano State, stating that Nigeria’s economic growth depends on shifting from theory-based education to skills-oriented training. She stated that the country’s youthful population is its most valuable asset, warning that without targeted efforts to equip young people with market-ready skills, Nigeria could lose its demographic advantage.
Professor Ahmad urged state governments to domesticate the policy according to local needs, establish measurable quarterly targets, and present clear implementation strategies within two to three months.
She explained that the Federal Government will provide technical support through the Office of the Director of Technology and Science Education and will closely monitor progress in each state to ensure the policy’s success. The Minister highlighted the policy’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, which prioritises foundational, transferable, digital, and job-specific skills.
She also noted ongoing initiatives such as digital teacher training, the conversion of schools into full-fledged Federal Technical Colleges serving as classroom-and-industry hubs, and the Luminah Programme aimed at supporting girls’ education. “The strategy promotes inclusivity, teacher training, and public-private partnerships, all of which are vital for preparing our youth for the future,” Professor Ahmad said.
