NATIONAL POLICY ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

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 market-relevant practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and economic productivity through both the formal education system and non-formal channels.

Who Does It Target?

School-aged youth in technical and vocational secondary schools, polytechnics, and colleges of technology Out-of-school youth and adults seeking skills through non-formal channels (skill acquisition centres, apprenticeship schemes) Working adults seeking skills upgrading and reskilling for career advancement or entrepreneurship Women, persons with disabilities, and youth in high-unemployment zones requiring targeted vocational support

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Bridge Nigeria's skills gap by making Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) the primary route for youth into skilled employment Establish a National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to standardise, certify, and recognise skills earned across formal and non-formal pathways Reduce youth unemployment by ensuring every Nigerian has access to a marketable, nationally-recognised skill Align Nigeria's skills supply with labour market demand through mandatory industry co-design of TVET curricula

Key Features

Renewed Hope TVET Initiative: Flagship government programme offering tuition-free TVET training with monthly stipends and entrepreneurship start-up kits National Skills Qualification Framework: Multi-tiered credential system — learners can enter at any level and accumulate stackable qualifications up to degree-equivalent TVET Pathway Parity: Policy elevates technical-vocational education to equal status with academic education — challenging stigma against TVET careers Formalised Apprenticeships: Traditional craft apprenticeships are being structured and integrated with certified training under SON and NABTEB standards Industry Partnership Mandate: Private sector employers required to co-design TVET curricula and absorb graduates through formal apprenticeships and employment Non-Formal Skills Centres: Nationwide network of skill acquisition centres under NAPEP, SMEDAN, and State Governments for adults and out-of-school youth

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 about 8% of Nigerian secondary students currently in TVET streams — policy targets a major expansion Funding: FME budget, 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 admission processes Adults & Out-of-School Youth: Register at nearest NAPEP, SMEDAN, or State Government skill acquisition centre — usually free of charge TVET Scholarship: Apply for the Renewed Hope TVET Initiative scholarship (monthly stipend + start-up kit) at education.gov.ng/tvet Businesses: Partner with NBTE and ITF to co-develop curricula and offer apprenticeships through the ITF Employer Partnership Framework: itf.gov.ng

Official Resources

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

Legal Framework

The National Policy on Skills Development in Formal and Non-Formal Education operates under the Industrial Training Fund Act 2011, the National Board for Technical Education Act, the National Directorate of Employment Act, and the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004. It aligns with ILO Convention 142 on Human Resources Development and Vocational Training, the ECOWAS Skills Development Policy, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 and SDG 8).