Nigeria Shifts 80% of Technical Education to Practical Skills

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has unveiled major reforms in Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system to prioritize practical skills over theoretical learning. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, he announced that 80% of the curriculum would now focus on hands-on training, with just 20% allocated to theory. The event also introduced the first Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fair/Exhibition, set for November 18–21.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that Nigeria’s current approach to technical education is overly theoretical, calling for a shift toward skill acquisition. “We are restructuring TVET to focus on 20% classroom teaching and 80% practical training,” he said, adding that discussions with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) are underway to implement this framework.

He stressed the need to align education with Nigeria’s youthful demographic, noting that 70% of the nation’s 220 million population is under 30. “We must equip young Nigerians with the skills to contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he stated, criticizing the prevalence of non-technical courses in technical schools.

To boost enrollment, the government will introduce free tuition, stipends, and shorter training programs of six to twelve months. The first cohort will begin by March 2025, with graduates receiving entrepreneurial grants to start businesses by year-end.