The Federal Government’s newly launched Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative has received a massive response, with over 1.3million applications submitted within just 10 days of its official unveiling.
The Nigerian government also revealed that of the submitted applications, over 210,000 applied for livestock farming training.
Education Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the disclosure via his official X handle on Wednesday, following the inauguration of a 24-member Inter-Ministerial Committee to reform agricultural curricula in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“Our @NigEducation TVET Data Dashboard shows strong national interest in agri-skills. Over 1.3million Nigerians registered in 10 days. Out of the 900,000+ submitted applications, 210,000+ applied for livestock farming training!
“The youth are ready—we must meet them with opportunity”.
The Minister said the the committee was given six weeks to submit its report, even as he tasked committee members to work with urgency, insight, and purpose. “Agricultural education must lead the charge for a food-secure Nigeria,” he declared.
Alausa lamented that outdated curricula have slowed the potential of our Colleges and Universities of Agriculture, stressing that the present administration is aligning these programmes with real-world demands — practical, modern, and innovation-driven.
He said the panel which brings together experts from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, the agri-sector and farmer groups, is expected to audit existing agri-programmes, modernize curricula, make agri-education practical and relevant and others.
“We’re also unlocking vast agricultural land within our tertiary institutions. These will serve as hubs for food production and hands-on training for students. Idle acres will become innovation farms,” he stated.
