NATIONAL POLICY ON SKILL DEVELOPMENTS

What Is This Policy?

The National Policy on Skills Development in Formal and Non-Formal Education is Nigeria's framework for ensuring that all Nigerians — whether in school, out of school, or in the workforce — can acquire and upgrade practical, market-relevant skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and economic productivity across all sectors.

Who Does It Target?

School-aged youth in technical and vocational secondary schools and polytechnics Out-of-school youth and adults in non-formal education settings (skill acquisition centres, apprenticeship programmes) Working adults seeking skills upgrading and reskilling for career advancement Persons with disabilities requiring inclusive vocational training Women and girls in underserved communities with limited access to technical education

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Bridge the skills gap between Nigeria's educational output and labour market needs Make Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) the primary pathway for youth into skilled employment and entrepreneurship Establish a National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to standardise, accredit, and recognise skills across formal and non-formal pathways Reduce youth unemployment and underemployment by ensuring every Nigerian has access to a marketable, certified skill

Key Features

TVET Pathway Formalisation: Elevates technical and vocational education to parity with academic education — promoting TVET as a valued and respected career pathway Renewable Hope TVET Initiative: Government's flagship programme offering tuition-free TVET training with monthly stipends and start-up kits to enrolled youth (2023) National Skills Qualification Framework: Multi-tiered qualification system enabling individuals to enter NSQF at any level and progress through stackable credentials Apprenticeship Programmes: Formalised apprenticeship system integrating traditional craft apprenticeships with structured, certified training Industry Linkages: Private sector companies required to co-design TVET curricula and absorb graduates through apprenticeships and employment Non-Formal Skills Centres: Nationwide network of skill acquisition centres under NAPEP, SMEDAN, and State Governments for out-of-school youth and adults

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — Renewed Hope TVET Initiative launched 2023; National Skills Development Centre (NSDC) operational Implementing Bodies: Federal Ministry of Education; NBTE; NABTEB; ITF (Industrial Training Fund); State Ministries of Education Coverage: National; 36 states with priority to North-West, North-East, and other high-unemployment zones TVET Enrolment: Only 8% of Nigerian secondary school students are in TVET streams — policy targets significant increase Funding: FME budget, Industrial Training Fund (ITF) levy, World Bank TVET projects, and private sector contributions

How to Access

Students: Apply to federal or state technical colleges, polytechnics, or TVET centres through JAMB or state-level processes Adults & Out-of-School Youth: Register at nearest NAPEP, SMEDAN, or State Government skill acquisition centre — usually free of charge Businesses: Partner with NBTE/ITF to co-develop curricula and offer apprenticeships through the ITF Employer Partnership Framework TVET Scholarship: Apply for the Renewed Hope TVET Initiative scholarship (stipend + start-up kit) at education.gov.ng/tvet

Official Resources

Website: education.gov.ng | nbte.gov.ng | itf.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Education, Block 5A Federal Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja | [email protected] Policy Summary | Source: FME, NBTE, NABTEB, ILO Nigeria, World Bank TVET, Renewed Hope Agenda 2023 | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Policy on Skills Development operates under the Industrial Training Fund Act 2011, the National Board for Technical Education Act, and the National Directorate of Employment Act. It aligns with the National Policy on Education, the TVET Policy, and Nigeria's commitments under ILO Convention 142 on Human Resources Development and Vocational Training, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 — Quality Education), and the ECOWAS Skills Development Framework.