Nigeria Education Minister targets skills gap to boost global employability

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is working to address the disconnect between national training and employer needs to improve youth employability. Speaking at a United Nations General Assembly side event, Alausa emphasized the need to reposition the education system to produce certified, adaptable talent capable of competing in the global digital services and outsourcing markets.

To achieve this, the Federal Ministry of Education is pursuing curriculum reforms, stronger accreditation, and expanded technical and digital training. Supporters, including former minister Isa Pantami, have defended Alausa’s stewardship, citing the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and a shift toward skills-based learning. Key reforms mentioned include enrolling over 150,000 trainees in technical and vocational programs, introducing biometric verification for funding transparency, and expanding training into fields such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity.

Other initiatives include the automation of transcript processes, the launch of a School Safety Portal, and the restoration of History as a core subject. Despite these efforts, the minister faces calls for removal from education workers regarding the handling of specific concessions and ministry issues.