NATIONAL POLICY ON TVETS

A Policy provides a framework for technical and vocational education and training, developing skilled workers through colleges and apprenticeships. It targets secondary students in vocational tracks, out-of-school youth, adults seeking skills upgrades, and employers in various industries. This seeks to reduce unemployment and drive industrial growth.

What Is This Policy?

The National Policy on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) provides the dedicated framework for developing and governing technical colleges, polytechnics, vocational training centres, and apprenticeship programmes in Nigeria. It aims to produce a skilled technical workforce that can drive industrialisation, reduce unemployment, and power the services economy.

Who Does It Target?

Secondary school students who prefer a vocational or technical career track over academic routes Out-of-school youth requiring a short-route pathway to employable skills Adults seeking skills upgrading, reskilling, or recognised certification for existing competencies Employers across manufacturing, construction, ICT, hospitality, healthcare, and creative industries

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Raise TVET enrolment from approximately 8% to 30% of secondary-level learners by 2027 Make technical-vocational qualifications nationally recognised through the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and NABTEB certification Reduce youth unemployment by linking every TVET graduate to an employer through mandatory industry partnerships and apprenticeship completion Elevate the social status of TVET through sustained public communication campaigns positioning it as a high-income pathway

Key Features

NSQF Levels 1 to 8: The National Skills Qualification Framework maps all vocational and technical qualifications to eight levels from basic trade skills to advanced technical degrees Renewed Hope TVET Initiative: Tuition-free training with a monthly stipend, entrepreneur start-up kits, and placement support for enrolled youth at federal TVET centres Industry-Led Curriculum: Employers required to co-design and validate TVET curricula every two years to keep content aligned with current industry needs Competency-Based Training: TVET delivery is based on demonstrating measurable competencies, not just completing time in a classroom Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Artisans and tradespeople with informal skills can obtain formal NABTEB certification through RPL assessment without repeating training NBTE Accreditation: All TVET institutions must obtain NBTE accreditation; accreditation reviews every five years ensure sustained quality

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; Renewed Hope TVET Initiative commenced 2023; first cohort of 50,000 students enrolled under the stipend programme Implementing Body: NBTE (regulatory); NABTEB (examinations); ITF (employer levies and apprenticeships); State Technical Colleges Coverage: National; federal TVET centres in all 36 states; state technical colleges and private vocational centres also regulated under the framework Funding: FME budget, ITF 1% levy on employer payroll (above N750,000 monthly), World Bank TVET projects, and private sector investment

How to Access

Students: Apply to federal or state technical colleges through the NBTE admissions portal or directly at the institution; select trade or technology programmes Workers: Apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment at the nearest NABTEB state office: nabteb.gov.ng TVET Stipend: Apply for the Renewed Hope TVET stipend and start-up kit at education.gov.ng/tvet for eligible programmes Employers: Register with ITF to access levy rebates for in-house apprenticeship training and graduate absorption programmes: itf.gov.ng

Official Resources

Legal Framework

The National Policy on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) operates under the National Board for Technical Education Act, the Industrial Training Fund Act 2011, the Vocational Enterprise Institutions Act, and the National Policy on Education. It aligns with the National Skills Qualifications Framework, the National Employment Policy, and Nigeria's obligations under ILO Convention 142 on Human Resources Development and Vocational Guidance and Training.