By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Abuja The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged state governments to urgently adopt and implement the National Poli
By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged state governments to urgently adopt and implement the National Policy on Skills Development in Formal and Non-Formal Education, pledging to track performance and ensure accountability in delivering industry-relevant education across the country.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, made the call in Kano during the Northern Region Sensitization and Dissemination Workshop on the policy.
She stressed that Nigeria’s future prosperity hinges on transforming its education system from theory-focused to skills-driven learning.
Prof. Ahmad described the nation’s youthful population as its greatest asset but warned that without deliberate measures to equip young people with market-ready skills, the country risked losing its demographic advantage.
She urged state governments to adapt the policy to local needs, set measurable quarterly targets, and develop clear implementation strategies within two to three months.
According to her, the Federal Government will provide technical guidance through the Office of the Director of Technology and Science Education while monitoring state-level progress to ensure effective rollout.
She noted that the policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which focuses on foundational, transferable, digital, and job-specific skills, alongside inclusivity, teacher training, and public–private partnerships. She cited ongoing initiatives including digital teacher training, conversion of Federal Technical Colleges into classroom-and-industry hubs, and the Luminah Programme for girls.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel O. Enitan—represented by Dr. Muyibat Olodo—described the policy as a “bold roadmap” for an inclusive and sustainable future, commending state education leaders for their role in preparing Nigerian youth for a fast-changing global economy.
Education Manager at UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. Munamuzunga Sikaulu, pledged the agency’s continued support, noting its 50-year partnership with the Ministry. He stressed the need to recognise skills gained through apprenticeships, vocational programmes, and community initiatives, to allow learners mobility outside traditional academic pathways.
The workshop also featured presentations by Mr. Jackson Nweke of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Habib Ahmad Jibrin of the National Education Research and Development Council, and Dr. Yusuf Suleiman of the National Board for Technical Education.
In a closing message, Dr. Uhuegbu Stella Ihuoma, representing the Director of Technology and Science Education, urged educators, policymakers, and community leaders to work collectively towards an education system that empowers every learner to succeed.
The workshop, earlier held in the southern zones, was attended by State Commissioners for Education, Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB), heads of agencies and parastatals, and other key stakeholders in the education sector.
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