New educational curriculum to align with skills required by industries — FG

The Federal Government has pledged to ensure that the educational curriculum and training programs perfectly align with the skills required by industries, to empower young people to become active participants in the economic growth and development of the country.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the pre-validation meeting of stakeholders on the National Policy on Skills Development in Nigeria.

He expressed concerns about the skills gap in the country, stating that the development of a comprehensive national policy on skills development is a crucial step in equipping Nigerian youth with the necessary skills to thrive in the 21st-century job market.

According to him, in a rapidly evolving global landscape, the ability to adapt, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the workforce has become increasingly paramount, hence the culmination of collective efforts in shaping “this important policy.”

Mamman added that through the National Policy on Skills Development, the government would come up with a new educational curriculum to bridge the gap between the education system and the demands of the labor market.

“By aligning our educational curriculum and training programs with the skills required by industries, we can empower our young people to become active participants in the economic growth and development of our beloved country.

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“As we gather for this pre-validation meeting, I urge you to approach this discussion with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to shaping a future where our youth are empowered to reach their full potential. Your expertise, insights, and collective wisdom will be instrumental in refining and strengthening this policy, ensuring that it serves as a robust framework for skills development across Nigeria,” he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, who was represented by the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Ministry, Mr. Abubakar Isa, said the policy has the potential to transform the lives of millions of Nigerian youth, both in school and out of school, in formal, non-formal, and informal sectors of education.

“The draft policy before us today is a testament to the tireless efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), who have worked together to develop a comprehensive framework that addresses the diverse needs of our learners, from foundational to transferable, digital, and job-specific skills,” he said.