The federal government has unveiled a major intervention to tackle Nigeria’s growing skills gap, announcing plans to equip 37 polytechnics across the country with modern industry-grade equipment under the second phase of its Skills-G programme.
The move is aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education, improving hands-on learning, and aligning graduates’ competencies with industry demands.
Authorities say the move will enhance innovation, boost youth employability, and support national economic development by producing a more skilled and competitive workforce.
According to the Ministry of Education’s statement shared via X, the federal government has inaugurated a ministerial implementation and monitoring committee to oversee engineering and laboratory upgrades in Nigeria’s polytechnics as part of the programme.
“Priority areas include mechatronics, robotics, renewable energy, telecommunications, electronics, and automobile engineering to align training with labour market demands,” the statement reads in part.
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The ministry noted that the committee, chaired by the executive secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), will, among other things, monitor implementation to ensure accountability, and recommend institutions for the third phase in 2026.
The statement further revealed that the federal government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) support, remains committed to closing skills gaps and delivering globally competitive, industry-relevant technical education.
The Skills-G Programme is a long-standing federal government initiative aimed at upgrading science, engineering, and technical equipment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, particularly polytechnics.
Supported by TETFund, the programme forms part of Nigeria’s broader push toward skills-based education.
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It complements the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative launched in October 2025 as part of the federal government’s strategy to produce entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
