The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling unemployment through a structured Technical and Vocational Skills Development Policy and a national apprenticeship framework designed to enhance employability and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made this known in Abuja during a two-day National Public Dialogue on Institutionalising Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and apprenticeship systems for sustainable employment.
She said the dialogue aims to close the gap between classroom learning and industry needs, ensuring Nigerian youths gain the right skills for decent and sustainable work.
The minister noted that the success of TVET and apprenticeship systems depends on strong collaboration among government, private sector employers, labour unions, and training institutions.
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The International Labour Organisation (ILO), represented by Dr. Vanessa Phala, said the dialogue falls under the Strengthening Employment and Employability Systems in Nigeria (SEESIN) project, supported by the GIZ-SKYE II Programme.
Phala explained that the ILO is helping Nigeria develop quality, inclusive, and gender-responsive apprenticeship models aligned with labour market needs.
She highlighted the country's skills mismatch, noting that many job seekers hold qualifications that do not align with employers' needs, while technical skills remain scarce in high-growth sectors.
Labour leaders also stressed the need to harmonise existing policies to strengthen implementation and ensure that vocational and apprenticeship programmes translate into measurable employment outcomes.
The dialogue, which ends Wednesday, is expected to produce policy recommendations to guide Nigeria's new skills and apprenticeship framework aimed at empowering youth, boosting SME productivity, and driving inclusive economic growth.
