The federal government, in collaboration with state governors, has finalized plans to introduce legislation to the National Assembly for the official creation of the National Council on Skills.
This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to unify Nigeria’s currently disjointed skills development sector and address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, shared this update with reporters at the State House following a high-level meeting of the Council on Skills, which was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima and had the Minister of Education as Vice-Chairman.
The gathering included key representatives from education, labor, and development sectors, alongside governors from various geopolitical zones.
Governor Sani explained that the proposed legislation seeks to establish a cohesive legal and operational framework for skills training nationwide, ensuring better coordination among all stakeholders involved in the ecosystem.
He highlighted Kaduna State’s emergence as a benchmark for skills-based education, attributing this success to significant federal support and alignment with national objectives.
“The primary goal of this bill is to synchronize the efforts of all major contributors within the skills development landscape,” the governor stated.
“Kaduna has reaped substantial benefits because we have closely aligned with the federal government’s vision. We have enrolled over 32,000 students in our skills institutions, many of whom will earn certifications under the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework.”
Governor Sani also noted that President Bola Tinubu recently inaugurated three federal skills development centers across Kaduna’s senatorial districts.
He praised the federal government’s recent move to incorporate informal Panteka markets into the national skills framework, recognizing it as a vital step toward valuing indigenous craftsmanship and innovation.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transitioning from a predominantly theoretical education system to one focused on practical skills acquisition.
He announced the rollout of a revised national curriculum that integrates six key skills into junior and senior secondary school programs.
These skills include tailoring and fashion design, animal husbandry, computer hardware maintenance, and mobile device repair, among others.
“Our approach is grounded in data and real labor market demands. We are not implementing these changes arbitrarily,” the minister emphasized. “We are also tracking progress through continuous data analysis.”
He revealed that over one million Nigerians have registered on the government’s online Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) platform, with the first group of 200,000 trainees set to begin their programs shortly.
The minister commended Kaduna State for leading national registration figures, boasting over 98,000 enrollees-the highest in the country.
He also applauded Governor Sani for establishing a State Council on Skills, chaired by the governor, to ensure state initiatives align with federal policies.
“This demonstrates the eagerness of our youth. The government’s role is to support and facilitate their ambitions-and that is exactly what we are doing,” he added.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, highlighted that the Council’s efforts will help bridge the skills gap and ease pressures on the labor market.
“Skills development must begin early, even at the nursery and primary school levels,” she remarked. “By graduation, students should possess competencies that prepare them for immediate workforce entry.”
She emphasized that the partnership between the Labour Ministry and the education sector forms a core part of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s Eight-Point Plan, aiming to cultivate a skills-driven economy where Nigerians grow up equipped with job-ready capabilities.
The National Council on Skills is also designed to resolve longstanding coordination challenges among federal bodies such as the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
The minister described the council as a forward-looking institution that will provide sustained leadership and strategic direction for skills development across Nigeria.
Following final consultations with stakeholders and government agencies, the presidency is expected to submit the bill to the National Assembly.
“This administration is pioneering the integration of skills development into the core of national progress. There has never been a more opportune moment to act,” the Education Minister concluded.
