Tinubu Approves N120bn for TVET, N40bn for National Library Project
President Bola Tinubu has approved N120 billion to enhance the implementation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), emphasizing practical skills and specialized knowledge for various industries and professions.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, on Thursday during a Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja.
The briefing was organized by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, where Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to reintegrating 10 million out-of-school children into basic education.
He further revealed that President Tinubu has allocated N40 billion to restart the abandoned National Library Headquarters project. He emphasized that upon completion, the facility would significantly contribute to academic and research development nationwide.
Expressing his commitment to transforming the education sector, the Minister outlined the government’s strategy to expand access, enhance educational quality, and strengthen foundational learning structures.
Regarding vocational and technical training, the Minister noted that President Bola Tinubu has approved N120 billion to bolster the TVET system and provide startup capital for students embarking on entrepreneurial ventures.
He explained that the government plans to implement an 80/20 vocational training model in partnership with the Bank of Industry, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and the private sector.
According to him, the focus is currently on optimizing the technical education value chain, ensuring that artisans gain hands-on training.
He also stated that a dual-mode training approach will be introduced, where students will spend three days in school, one day in intensive training, and one day in a workshop.
Additionally, the Minister disclosed the Federal Government’s plan to offer six months of free skills training to Nigerians to align with industry requirements.
He explained that this initiative is aimed at addressing the country’s existing two million job vacancies.
The government is also implementing strategies to advance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, ensuring the nation’s workforce is adequately equipped.
According to him, “We are achieving this through our Digital Training Academy (DTA), equipping students with the skills needed to serve the industry.”
“Today, based on UNESCO data, there are 650,000 vacancies in software development methodologies, about 280,000 in cybersecurity, 160,000 in IT automation,
“150,000 in AI and machine learning, 120,000 in cloud computing, and about 60,000 worldwide in natural language processing.
“When combined, there are nearly two million job vacancies. Through the Digital Training Academy, we are working with trainers to provide six-month training programs for young engineers.”
“As a government, we will cover their internet costs and pay for their certifications, including Cisco certification, End-of-Career certification, and Google certification,” he said.
Alausa highlighted that this initiative will equip Nigerians with vital digital skills, enabling them to excel in the international job market.
He further mentioned that the training program is set to be launched by June 2025.
On the subject of expanding educational infrastructure, Alausa revealed that the government aims to reconstruct 195,000 classrooms across the country by 2027.
“In terms of infrastructure, between now and 2027, we will need to build 195,000 classrooms nationwide.
“We will install 28,000 toilets and 22,900 boreholes in schools across the country.”
“We will construct approximately 7,000 new classrooms while also providing 103 million textbooks for teaching and learning,” he said.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in his opening remarks, described the event as an essential platform for ministers to update Nigerians on their progress and major accomplishments in office.
