The Federal Government has flagged off training for over 1,000 beneficiaries under Cohort 3 of its Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS-TVET) initiative in Kogi State.
The programme is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank, through accredited Training Service Providers (TSPs) nationwide, with monitoring across the 774 LGAs.
The flag-off ceremony held in Lokoja featured 10 service providers operating from 10 skills-acquisition centres across the state.
The providers include Leafnet Enterprise Ltd, Omniflow Power Ltd, Peemadi Ltd, Ugbo-Ugbo Enyo Nig Ltd, JB JennyB Venture Ltd, JEGOO Development Centre Ltd, USS Geo Consult and Jubilee 20 Park, among others.
The trainees in Kogi are being equipped with skills in fashion design and garment making, solar PV installation and maintenance, catering and event management, among others.
In her remarks, the National Project Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, said the objective of the initiative is to equip Nigerians with industry-relevant vocational, technical and digital skills, reduce reliance on paper qualifications, and build a workforce for economic transformation.
Ogwu, who was represented by Dr Samaila Dogoyaro, Communication Officer, Benue State Project Implementation Unit, said skills development remains a powerful pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
She disclosed that the project has renovated and equipped workshops across technical colleges, strengthened TVET institutions and upskilled about 4,000 technical teachers and instructors.
“Beyond institutional interventions, the IDEAS-TVET Initiative has taken skills development directly to about 80,000 Nigerians through Training Service Providers across the country,” she said.
Ogwu listed occupational areas covered to include fashion design, ICT, agriculture, hospitality, construction, electrical installation, automotive trades, welding and fabrication, plumbing, solar installation and other market-relevant skills, with inclusion of women and other underrepresented groups.
She urged trainees to take the opportunity seriously, stressing that the training could be a turning point in their lives.
“Most importantly, take attendance seriously. You are expected to maintain at least 65 per cent attendance every month to be eligible for the N30,000 stipend promised by the Federal Government under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.
“This requirement is not merely administrative. Regular attendance ensures you receive sufficient practical exposure and develop competence,” she added.
She charged trainees to see themselves not merely as beneficiaries but as future entrepreneurs, technicians and innovators, noting that success would be measured by employment, businesses established and incomes increased, not just enrolment figures.
The service providers said they are already three months into the six-month training and commended the level of supervision and commitment of trainees.
Mr Ajayi Olufemi, Centre Manager, Memorial Foundation Chateko Vocational Institute (LMF-CVI), Leafnet Enterprise Ltd, said 150 trainees are under his centre in fashion design and garment making.
“We started in June this year. So far, so good. I tell my trainees, it is not about the N30,000.
“Government does not want to give you fish to eat but wants to teach you how to catch fish.
“Some of them made the dresses they are wearing today by themselves within three months,” Olufemi said.
Another provider, Mr Anthony Achenaje, Training Programme Manager, Jubilee 20 Park, Lokoja, said his centre was awarded 100 trainees in catering and event management.
“What we want for them is to master the trade and be self-sufficient and employable.
“The majority heard about the programme and came on their own, not because of the stipend but because of passion,” Achenaje said.
A trainee, Miss Josephine David, said her experience has been wonderful, noting that she came as a novice but within three months can now pedal a machine and sew.
“You can see what I am wearing, I made it myself. I have added value to myself thanks to IDEAS-TVET,” she said.
Government officials urged beneficiaries to be diligent, saying certifications are recognised by professional bodies and the focus should be beyond the stipend to what they will take back after training.
They commended the Kogi coordinators and service providers for excellent performance and high attendance recorded across centres.
