The Federal Government has praised the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, for strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the state following the graduation of about 3,000 trainees from various vocational institutes. The commendation was contained in a statement released on Sunday by Boriowo Folasade, who said the initiative represents a significant effort toward equipping young Nigerians with practical skills needed to become self-reliant. According to the statement, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the programme as a major milestone in the effort to empower youth with employable skills and create sustainable economic opportunities.
“This initiative by Governor Zulum is a major step toward empowering young Nigerians with practical and employable skills,” the minister stated. The graduates completed their training at nine Vocational Enterprise Institutes and Centres established across Borno State. The centres focus on equipping participants with hands-on skills in areas such as technical trades, entrepreneurship and vocational crafts. Officials said the programme was designed to help young people develop the capacity to either secure employment or establish their own businesses.
To support the graduates as they transition into productive economic activities, the state government provided each participant with a starter pack related to their field of training. In addition, every graduate received a ₦100,000 entrepreneurship grant to help them launch small-scale businesses or expand their newly acquired skills into income-generating ventures. Education authorities say the initiative reflects the growing emphasis on technical and vocational training as a strategy for tackling unemployment and boosting economic development. Alausa noted that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises youth empowerment, job creation and economic inclusion through skills development.
He added that the Federal Government is encouraging states across the country to adopt similar initiatives aimed at equipping young people with practical knowledge that can directly contribute to economic growth. The minister also emphasised that strengthening vocational education is essential to reducing youth unemployment, particularly in regions that have been affected by years of conflict and economic disruption. Borno State has been one of the areas most impacted by insurgency in northeastern Nigeria. Over the years, the state government has introduced various rehabilitation and development programmes aimed at rebuilding communities and creating opportunities for young people.
Observers say the expansion of vocational education centres and the support provided to graduates could help stimulate small businesses and contribute to long-term stability in the region. The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with state governments to expand technical and vocational education across Nigeria, noting that skills-based training remains a critical pathway to national development and economic resilience.
