The Federal Government has opened discussions with the Cambridge Judge Business School on a strategic partnership aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with the skills, knowledge and competencies required to thrive in the rapidly changing world of work.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, made the call through the Director of ICT, Mrs. Zainab Abubakar, during an engagement with the Cambridge Judge Business School Executive MBA Nigeria Business Trek delegation in Abuja.
The minister said stronger collaboration between government and leading global institutions was critical to preparing young Nigerians for emerging opportunities in the labour market.
She identified technical and vocational education and training (TVET), apprenticeship, digital literacy, mentoring, innovation, internships and education financing as key areas where collaboration could deliver greater impact.
According to her, education remains central to Nigeria’s human-capital development and broader national transformation agenda.
FG Prioritises Skills, STEMM, Digitalisation
Ahmad highlighted the six priority areas of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) as TVET and skills development; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM); out-of-school and Almajiri education; girl-child education; data and digitalisation; and education quality assurance.
She said the government was particularly focused on ensuring that education was not limited to academic qualifications but also provided young Nigerians with practical competencies relevant to industry and the changing economy.
The Director of Technology and Science Education, Mrs. Patricia Ogungbemi, said the government was expanding practical and industry-oriented skills training through technical colleges and vocational training centres across the country.
Ogungbemi disclosed that vocational pathways, including Master Six and Master Twelve, were among initiatives being deployed to strengthen technical skills acquisition and improve young people’s employability.
Innovation, Entrepreneurship Take Centre Stage
The ministry also highlighted a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship and education delivery.
They include the Student Venture Capital Grant, LUMINAH 2030, EduRevamp and the Accelerated Teacher Professional Pathway.
The initiatives, according to the ministry, are designed to support different aspects of Nigeria’s education ecosystem, ranging from student entrepreneurship and digital transformation to teacher development and improved learning outcomes.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its readiness to enter into strategic partnerships with international institutions, industry players and other stakeholders capable of improving the quality, relevance and accessibility of education in Nigeria.
The engagement with the Cambridge Judge Business School delegation is expected to further explore areas of collaboration that can connect Nigerian education and skills development with the demands of the future workplace.
