FG trains 970 Delta youths in vocational skills

Some of the beneficiaries at the event

No fewer than 970 youths drawn from different parts of Delta State have embarked on a vocational skills training programme under Cohort 3 of the IDEAS-TVET Training Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education.

The programme, which is being implemented by seven training service providers with support from the World Bank, covers various skills, including fashion design and garment making, beauty cosmetology, network system installation,  baking and confectionery, creative media, and solar photovoltaic installation and maintenance.

The Managing Director of EM Cooperation Ltd, Elijah Ojije, at the official flag-off ceremony at the College of Education, Edjeba, Warri, expressed delight that the 970 trainees enrolled in the various skills had already recorded progress since the inauguration of the training in June 2026.

Ojije, who spoke on behalf of the seven training service providers, urged the beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously and use their skills to build sustainable livelihoods.

”This initiative was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s skills development system and produce industry-relevant skills for both the formal and informal sectors”.

Ojije lauded the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS-TVET Training Initiative and the Federal Ministry of Education for the programme, as well as the Provost of the College of Education, Edjeba, for approving the use of the hall for the ceremony.

‎According to him, the Nigeria Youth Employment and Skills Acquisition Framework (IDEAS-TVET), implemented through the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, is a World Bank-assisted programme with emphasis on quality assurance, industry engagement and technology integration.

‎He listed the seven Training Service Providers currently implementing Cohort 3 of the programme in Delta State as Great Tips Investment Ltd, offering Beauty Cosmetology in Warri; EM Cooperation Ltd, offering Fashion Design and Garment Making in Warri; MT Tech Investment Ltd, offering Network System Installation and Creative Media in Warri; KZT Nig Ltd, offering Fashion Design and Garment Making as well as Baking and Confectionery in Warri; Neopele Concepts, offering Fashion Design and Garment Making in Warri; Bloom Green Energy Solutions Ltd, offering Solar PV Installation and Maintenance in Asaba; and Gibbor Ecstacy Products Ltd, offering Beauty Cosmetology in Issele-Uku.

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‎Also, the Innovation Grant Manager from the Edo State Project Implementation Unit, Irhiawo Aisha Evelyn, who represented the National Project Implementation Unit and the National Project Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, said, “The flag-off marks more than the commencement of another training programme.

‎”This initiative aims at creating opportunities, building human capital, strengthening Nigeria’s technical and vocational education ecosystem and equipping young Nigerians with practical skills to participate meaningfully in the economy”, Evelyn said.

‎According to her, the IDEAS Project, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with World Bank support, has continued to demonstrate that skills development could provide a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

‎The representative of the National Project Coordinator, while formally flagging off the Cohort 3 IDEAS-TVET training programme on behalf of Mrs Blessing Ogwu, congratulated the trainees and expressed the hope that the programme would open new opportunities for them and contribute to building a stronger, more skilled and productive Nigeria.

‎One of the beneficiaries, Bright Edema Elo Oghene, who is undergoing training in fashion design, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Education for giving her the opportunity to acquire a skill that could make her self-employed.

‎Bright said she planned to establish her own fashion shop after completing the programme and become a professional fashion designer.

Another beneficiary, Miss Oghenemega Eyube, also said she had gained a lot from the training.