FG partners UK on TVET, apprenticeship programmes to boost global workforce

The federal government has strengthened its education and skills development partnership with the United Kingdom as part of efforts to prepare Nigerian youths for global employment opportunities through expanded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital skills acquisition, and industry-driven apprenticeship programmes.

Tunji Alausa, minister of education, disclosed this during a bilateral meeting with Baroness Jacqui Smith on the sidelines of the Education World Forum 2026 in London.

According to a statement signed on Saturday by Ikharo Attah, minister’s special adviser on media and communications, the meeting focused on deepening practical cooperation between both countries in skills development, TVET reform, digital learning, and workforce readiness.

The engagement builds on Nigeria’s ongoing strategic education collaboration with the United Kingdom, following earlier discussions with Steve Smith, the UK International Education Champion.

Alausa reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition TVET as a major driver of employment generation, industrial growth, innovation, and national productivity.

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He explained that the Federal Ministry of Education is aligning ongoing education reforms with labour market demands to ensure Nigerian youths are equipped with relevant skills needed in emerging sectors of the global economy.

The minister identified clean energy, healthcare, engineering, digital technology, and artificial intelligence as priority areas central to Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

He stated that the government is implementing a modern skills framework anchored on quality assurance, stronger industry participation, globally recognised accreditation systems, and structured apprenticeship pathways designed to meet present and future workforce demands.

Alausa further highlighted growing collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom involving Federal Technical Colleges, the National Board for Technical Education, IQM, and other relevant agencies.

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According to him, the partnership will support joint curriculum development, staff exchange programmes, accreditation alignment, and targeted skills-matching initiatives.

Both countries also agreed on plans for UK skills institutions to visit Nigeria to co-develop programmes in clean energy, healthcare services, engineering, digital technology, and artificial intelligence.

Discussions also advanced on apprenticeship models aimed at better aligning training outcomes with industry demand while maintaining quality standards and appropriate programme duration.

The bilateral engagement additionally focused on efforts to improve the perception and attractiveness of TVET by strengthening industry recognition and creating clearer career progression pathways for learners, drawing lessons from reforms currently underway under Skills England.

On global education financing, Alausa, who is a member of the Global Partnership for Education Board, called for sustained United Kingdom support for the GPE 2026–2030 Replenishment Campaign, which Nigeria will co-host with Italy on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September 2026.

Responding, Smith commended Nigeria’s ongoing education reforms and welcomed deeper bilateral cooperation in skills development. She also pledged to advocate continued UK support for the Global Partnership for Education ahead of the September 2026 replenishment campaign.