Vocational skills training initiatives in Nigeria

Vocational training and skills acquisition initiatives are being implemented in Nigeria to support youth employment and entrepreneurship.

The Nigerian Federal Government, via the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), has commenced the distribution of starter packs to 18,510 artisans trained through the Renewed Hope Vocational and Skills Training Programme. This initiative covers various fields such as automobile technology, carpentry, and fashion design across all 36 states. To maintain transparency, the agency is utilizing GPS technology and a dedicated portal to monitor beneficiary locations.

In a separate effort, the IshK Vocational Skills Programme in Ikeja recently graduated 500 youths. This programme provides technical and entrepreneurial training in sectors including solar installation, plumbing, and masonry. The IshK Tolaram Foundation reported that its skills hub has trained over 2,000 individuals to date, maintaining an employment or business ownership rate of over 70 percent. The foundation also provides support through an Alumni Business Support Grant to assist with tool acquisition.