In a renewed push to tackle insecurity at its roots, the Presidency is expanding its skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training as non-kinetic approach to curb crime, expand economic opportunities, and promote lasting peace.
 
Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka A. Famadewa (Rtd), Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, at her office.
 
The meeting explored areas of collaboration between the two offices, focusing on economic empowerment, employability and sustainable livelihoods as complementary measures to conventional security operations.
 
Arogundade said the partnership seeks to empower citizens, expand awareness and create sustainable opportunities for positive engagement.
 
“This partnership seeks to strengthen cooperation between both offices in empowering our people, broadening their awareness, and creating sustainable opportunities for their positive engagement.
 
“Through these collective efforts, we aim to steer them away from crime and criminality while fostering a safer, more enlightened, and empowered society,” she said.
 
Both presidential aides recognised the need for a comprehensive security approach combining military and law enforcement operations with education, skills development and economic inclusion, particularly for vulnerable youths.
 
Under the proposed collaboration, the TVEE would seek to reduce the vulnerability of unemployed and economically disadvantaged youths to recruitment by criminal networks exploiting poverty, limited opportunities and social exclusion.
 
By linking vocational education with homeland security objectives, the partnership is expected to strengthen community resilience, promote social stability and support individuals seeking alternatives to criminal activities.
 
Famadewa stressed the need for a holistic approach to insecurity that incorporates non-kinetic measures and addresses its underlying socioeconomic drivers.
 
His office is also focused on unified intelligence and surveillance, stronger border security, improved identification of security threats, and effective protocols for reporting and responding to crises.
 
The proposed collaboration reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to link education, economic opportunities, and national security. By promoting skills development and supporting entrepreneurship, the initiative aims to create pathways to sustainable livelihoods, strengthen peacebuilding efforts and foster long-term stability.