Federal Government Launches Skills Training for 777 Youths

The Federal Government has launched a technical and vocational skills training program for 777 young Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory, as part of a larger initiative targeting approximately 80,000 youths nationwide. This training is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education under the Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills Project, with financial backing from the World Bank.

At the program's launch in Abuja, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, 1st Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre, emphasized the need for practical skills over mere certificates. He stated that the program would equip trainees with competencies that are marketable.

Dr Tinuke Temitope, Deputy Director-General of ACCI and head of the BEST Centre, noted that the 777 trainees were selected from seven accredited Training Service Providers and would learn in various fields, including digital media and agriculture. The BEST Centre received over 800 applications but could only accommodate 200 beneficiaries for digital media production.