Boosting employability, skills through Fed Govt’s IDEAS programme
The technical and vocational education/training (TVET) initiative was initially launched in 2022. However, it was relaunched May last year by the Federal Government, with a mission to train, in the
The technical and vocational education/training (TVET) initiative was initially launched in 2022. However, it was relaunched May last year by the Federal Government, with a mission to train, in the long run, over one million youths within two years. Also known as the IDEAS (Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills) TVET places a premium on practical, hands-on training to close the skill gap in the labour market by engendering a “skill entrepreneurship mentality,” while boosting productivity and self-sufficiency. Ultimately, it is pivoted on creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers to efficiently drive industrial development. And quite impressively in a sort of paradigm shift, the Federal Ministry of Education seeks to move beyond traditional education to boosting practical, income-generating skills. But beyond the promise, there is a consensus among observers that the initiative has the potential to be a transformative programme in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle youth unemployment, but its sustainability will depend on the government’s ability to implement it with clear objectives, effective monitoring, and active collaboration between the public and private sectors. Observers also posited that a key factor in reducing youth unemployment is not just about training youths, but also ensuring that they are employable or able to start their own businesses by providing post-training support like job placement, entrepreneurship training, and seed funding for businesses. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.
Described as the greatest threat to the future of Africa’s most populous country, youth unemployment now stands at 53 percent according to statistics by State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, released late last year by Plan International Nigeria in collaboration with Action Aid Nigeria. The report also revealed another precarious situation: about 1.7 million graduates leave higher institutions yearly but face a shrinking job market.
Thus, with youths seen as the nation’s greatest asset, the Federal Government swung into action with its vastly improved Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) and TVET initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment by providing 6-month, 12-month, and 3-year vocational training, monthly stipends of N22,500, and starter packs to youth. The programme, poised to train 30,000 youths in its second phase, covers 25+ trades, including ICT, solar installation, and tailoring, among others.
Labelled as the second phase, the IDEAS TVET initiative which initially began in 2022, was relaunched last year May, while training began in August. Late last year, the programme, which is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda, attracted significant enrollment with over 250,000 youths said to have been enrolled in the initial cohort across 2,600 training centres nationwide.
Further checks revealed that while the initiative aims to train over one million young Nigerians within two years, approximately 960,000 to 970,000 applicants have been verified/certified as eligible for the training programme.
It was gathered that as of last December, more than 100,000 students were actively undergoing training, with over 42,000 receiving direct payments/stipends. Ministry sources said the government has disbursed N2.97 billion in stipends to 160,000 young Nigerians and N4.6 billion to training centres enrolled on the programme.
With progress being made in the programme, the World Bank has applauded the Federal Government for its sustained efforts toward addressing youth unemployment with the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project.
Speaking in Lagos, during a recent inspection visit to Wavecrest College of Hospitality, Surulere, Lagos, a training centre for the IDEAS Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) project, World Bank Practice Manager for Education for Africa, West and Central, Scherezad Latif applauded the government for its commitment to tackling youth unemployment through investment in technical skills development.
“Nigeria is one of our large programmes. I’m here to look at the Minister’s TVET Initiative, actually, and the World Bank supports the Minister’s TVET Initiative through a project called IDEAS. We’re very proud and happy to be part of the government’s programme and to see all the results that have already been achieved through this programme,” she said.
She expressed delight at what she saw, adding that the motivation and how the students spoke with clarity impressed her.
National Project Coordinator for the programme, Mrs. Blessing Ogwu, said the President Bola Tinubu-led government is focusing on TVET, skills acquisition to reduce unemployment, and remove youths from the streets.
She stated that the Federal Ministry of Education led by the Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa will be very happy to see the policy working very well here and the president will be happy seeing that his investment is not in vain.
Towards an efficient system, initiative
Beyond the applause from the World Bank, observers emphasised the need for post-training support; private sector involvement to address the skill gaps in Nigeria’s growing industries; tracking the progress of participants; assessing the relevance of training programmes; evaluating employment outcomes, among others.
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Vice Chancellor, African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji sought a thorough analysis, provision of a strategy for filling the gaps identified following what he described as “several operational, administrative, and systemic issues” to ensure the project fulfills its mandate.
Adedimeji said: “The introduction of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project, a World Bank-supported initiative, by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education was a major landmark as it was meant to improve the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
“Though it is a major step towards tackling the problem of youth unemployment, several operational, administrative, and systemic issues have hindered the impact of the programme in the society.
“For instance, applicants have complained about approval delays, system errors and lack of sufficient information. I think the right thing to do is to address the problems.
“There are also administrative issues bordering on limited efficiency and strict adherence to timelines through which those given a short time frame of five days or are rejected outright at the training centres for being late, with their slots reassigned to others. Some flexibility is required as people are webbed in different situations and domiciled in different places.
“What has to be done at this stage is a comprehensive gap analysis, a strategic tool that is used to compare a project’s actual, current performance or results with its desired, future potential. This analysis will reveal the situation, provide a blueprint for filling the gaps identified and reposition the project for high impact.”
The perspectives of the National President of Early Childhood Association of Nigeria (ECAN) Prof. Babajide Abidogun are rooted in creating a policy framework that includes measurable targets and specific indicators to track progress and ensure accountability; continuous professional development for trainers and teachers involved in delivering TVET courses, ensuring that they have up-to-date knowledge and skills to provide quality training.
He also stressed the importance of involving industries and employers in the curriculum development process to ensure that the skills being taught are relevant to the labour market.
“The IDEAS-TVET initiative, which was launched by the Federal Government to address youth unemployment, holds immense potential. However, like all government programmes, it requires careful implementation, monitoring, and sustained support to avoid it becoming another short-lived initiative. To ensure the programme achieves its intended purpose, several key measures must be prioritised,” he said.
National President of Association of Early Childhood and Basic Education Instructors in Nigeria (AECBEIN) Dr Simeon Fowowe called for sustained political will and “cross-party support”, adding that the success of any national programme depends heavily on sustained political commitment.
“Political will is crucial to ensure the continuity and support of the project beyond initial funding cycles. In Nigeria, political support for education-related programmes tends to fluctuate with government changes. To ensure sustainability, it’s important to create cross-party consensus on the importance of youth employment and skills development. This can be achieved through advocacy campaigns by civil society organizations, industry leaders, and educators.
“The National Association for the Advancement of Science (NAAS) in Nigeria has been instrumental in advocating for policies that support the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education sector, and such approaches can be adapted for TVET,” he said.
Prioritising, inclusivity others
Abidogun stressed: “Community Engagement and Inclusivity: For any youth-oriented program to succeed, it must be inclusive and reflective of the diverse needs of the Nigerian populace. Community engagement is crucial to ensuring that marginalized groups, including women, people with disabilities, and rural youth, are not left behind. This can be achieved through targeted outreach, awareness campaigns, and the establishment of community-based TVET centers that cater to the specific needs of different regions.
“The government should establish strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to assess the progress of the IDEAS-TVET initiative. This will ensure that any challenges or weaknesses are identified early on, and corrective actions are taken. Regular evaluations, independent audits, and feedback from trainees and employers can help keep the program on track and make necessary adjustments to the curriculum or delivery methods.
“To achieve the intended purpose, the IDEAS-TVET programme must engage all relevant stakeholders, including educators, employers, and industry experts. The programme should offer continuous professional development for trainers and teachers involved in delivering TVET courses, ensuring that they have up-to-date knowledge and skills to provide quality training. Additionally, it is essential to involve industries and employers in the curriculum development process to ensure that the skills being taught are relevant to the labor market.”
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Institutional collaboration, public-private partnerships vital
Abidogun noted that success of the IDEAS-TVET initiative can be greatly enhanced by fostering greater collaboration among government ministries, agencies, and educational institutions, stressing that one of the most effective ways to ensure the sustainability of the IDEAS-TVET initiative is through public-private partnerships.
The don said collaborating with the private sector will provide access to expertise, resources, and industry-driven solutions.
“The success of the IDEAS-TVET initiative can be greatly enhanced by fostering greater collaboration among government ministries, agencies, and educational institutions. The integration of the TVET curriculum with other education levels, including early childhood education, will ensure that foundational skills are built from an early age and continue throughout a child’s academic journey. In this context, ECAN emphasizes the importance of incorporating practical, hands-on learning experiences into the curriculum to build critical thinking, problem-solving, and vocational skills among young children.
“One of the most effective ways to ensure the sustainability of the IDEAS-TVET initiative is through public-private partnerships. Collaborating with the private sector will provide access to expertise, resources, and industry-driven solutions. Involving corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and industry leaders will help align the program with real-world job opportunities and enable graduates to transition more easily into the workforce,” he said.
Fowowe said: “Partnerships between government and private sector industries are crucial for the success of such programmes. When industries participate in the design and delivery of training programmes, the chances of job placement increase, and employers have access to workers with the right skill sets.
“For example, by partnering with schools, educational organizations, and businesses, AECBEIN can facilitate internships, work placements, and hands-on learning experiences for trainees, ensuring that theoretical learning is matched with practical application.
“The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) could be engaged to tailor the TVET programme to include technical skills needed for running successful early childhood education centres, such as curriculum development, educational technology integration, and child psychology.
Plug likely loopholes to avoid mismanagement of funds
Abidogun also highlighted an important concern regarding judicious use of funds.
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“One of the key concerns about government programs is the mismanagement of funds, leading to inefficient implementation. To ensure funds do not go to waste, there should be strict budgeting and transparent financial management processes in place. This could include the establishment of an independent oversight body to monitor the disbursement and use of funds, ensuring that they are channeled directly to the core activities of the programme,” he said.
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The AECBEIN President noted that transparency in how funds are used, strict auditing mechanisms, and clear accountability measures must be instituted to safeguard resources.
He advocated regular audits by independent bodies to ensure that funds are used appropriately, adding that a public budget transparency portal can be set up where citizens can track how funds are allocated and spent.
Provide post-training support
Fowowe added that it was imperative for the programme to provide post-training support like job placement, entrepreneurship training, and seed funding for businesses.
According to him, in other countries like Singapore, the government has introduced schemes like the “SkillsFuture Credit”, where individuals get grants to pursue further skills development, and after that, they are matched with companies through job fairs and recruitment drives.
“Back home, AECBEIN can collaborate with local businesses, schools, and government agencies to create a network that matches TVET graduates with employment opportunities in the education sector or related industries,” he added.
Unanimous stance from observers
Observers, stakeholders and experts have expressed optimism that the IDEAS-TVET initiative has the potential to be a transformative programme in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle youth unemployment, but its sustainability will depend on the government’s ability to implement it with clear objectives, effective monitoring, and active collaboration between the public and private sectors, implementing industry-relevant curriculums, ensuring accountability in fund management, and providing ongoing support to participants.
They also posited that political will and cross-sector collaboration will be pivotal to ensuring the longevity and success of the initiative, coupled with accountability measures like auditing and monitoring to ensure judicious utilisation of funds.
