The Federal Government has begun discussions with Cambridge Judge Business School on new skills pathways aimed at preparing Nigerian youths for emerging jobs and opportunities.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, represented by the Director of ICT, Mrs Zainab Abubakar, made the call in Abuja during an engagement with the Cambridge Judge Business School Executive MBA Nigeria Business Trek delegation.
Ahmad called for stronger collaboration with Cambridge Judge Business School to equip Nigerian youths with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to succeed in the changing world of work.
She identified Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), apprenticeships, digital literacy, mentoring, innovation, internships and education financing as key areas for collaboration.
“Education remains central to national development,” the minister said, stressing the need for partnerships that can make education more relevant to the changing demands of the labour market.
Ahmad also highlighted the six priority areas of the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), covering “TVET and skills, STEMM, out-of-school and Almajiri education, girl-child education, data and digitalisation, and education quality assurance.”
She said stronger collaboration in these areas would help improve access to relevant skills and create better opportunities for young Nigerians.
The Director of Technology and Science Education, Mrs Patricia Ogungbemi, said the government was expanding practical and industry-relevant skills training through technical colleges and vocational training centres.
“We are expanding practical, industry-relevant skills training through technical colleges and vocational training centres,” Ogungbemi said.
She added that the government was implementing vocational pathways, including Master Six and Master Twelve, to give young Nigerians practical skills that could support employment and entrepreneurship.
The ministry also highlighted the Student Venture Capital Grant, LUMINAH 2030, EduRevamp and the Accelerated Teacher Professional Pathway as initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s education system.
The Federal Government said it remained “open to strategic partnerships that improve the quality, relevance and accessibility of education.”
It added that collaboration with institutions such as Cambridge Judge Business School could help strengthen the connection between education, skills development and the needs of the future workforce.
The engagement is expected to support efforts to prepare Nigerian youths for emerging opportunities while strengthening practical and digital skills needed in the evolving global economy.