World Bank allocates $60m to train 75,000 Nigerian youths
By Matthew Denis
The World Bank has announced a $60 million allocation to train 75,000 Nigerian youths under the Nigerian Youth Employment Through Skills Acquisition Fund (NYESAF). The initiative is part of the Innovation, Development, and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project of the Federal Ministry of Education.
World Bank Education Specialist, Mistura Rufai, disclosed this during the Contract/Memorandum of Understanding Signing and Implementation Workshop of the NYESAF, held in Abuja.
Rufai stated that the project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s skills development system by providing training opportunities in both the formal and informal sectors. She explained that the IDEAS Project has a total budget of $130 million, with $60 million dedicated specifically to the NYESAF component.
She noted that the NYESAF initiative focuses on education, employment, and training, using result-based contracting to provide short-duration skills development for youths. She further revealed that the programme targets 75,000 trainees in this phase, with training costs varying based on trade specialisation and market pricing set by Training Service Providers (TSPs).
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, emphasised that the IDEAS project will play a transformative role in youth employment and skills acquisition in Nigeria. Represented by IDEAS Project National Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, the minister stressed that equipping young people with skills is not just an investment but a crucial pillar for Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.
He highlighted that the project is designed to enhance technical education, provide training opportunities in the informal sector, strengthen technical teacher education, and support skills innovation through the Innovation Grant Fund. He noted that the contract signing marks a significant step towards building a more resilient and skilled workforce, assuring that the programme will create lasting benefits for thousands of Nigerian youths.
Dr Abdul Ahmed, a representative of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, and one of the Training Service Providers, affirmed that the programme will equip young Nigerians with essential technical skills. He stated that his institution will focus on training in the automotive mechanics sector, ensuring that trainees acquire hands-on experience and expertise in the field.
Project Contractor, Ndem Ndiyo, explained that the training curriculum will be aligned with the National Occupational Standards (NOS) to ensure that Nigerian trainees meet global competency levels. He added that the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) curriculum approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) will be used to certify participants, enabling them to work anywhere in the world.
The NYESAF initiative is expected to increase youth employment, enhance workforce capability, and support Nigeria’s broader industrial and economic development goals.
