By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr Silas Ali Agara, has commended the Federal Government for introducing 15 vocational skills into Nigeria’s primary and secondary school curricula.
Agara believed the initiative would drive substantial youth employment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Director-General described the policy as a “pragmatic and far-reaching component” of the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that President Tinubu’s endorsement highlights a commitment to addressing unemployment, non-productivity, and youth restiveness in a nation with one of the world’s largest youth populations.
He emphasised that the policy reflected Tinubu’s goal to foster a generation of skilled, focused, and empowered young Nigerians equipped to impact their world.
Agara stated, “The new curriculum overhaul is part of the current administration’s comprehensive strategy to create jobs, boost productivity, and drive economic growth. This strategy includes initiatives across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“At the NDE, we are implementing practical steps to fulfill our mandate, especially with President Tinubu’s active focus on youth issues. It’s encouraging that the government has introduced 15 core skills into the nine-year basic education curriculum for public and private schools nationwide.”
He further explained that by embedding the skills in the curriculum, the administration prioritized early skill acquisition to empower the country’s youth to contribute to national productivity through self-employment and creating goods and services.
“This is why the Federal Government is building 91 vocational schools within secondary schools, 24 skill and vocational hubs in polytechnics, and establishing entrepreneurship centres in universities nationwide as part of efforts to promote skills, technology, and vocational education for job creation,” he added.
He said that the NDE is examining the new policy to integrate it with its ongoing interventions and ensure that Nigerians are prepared for gainful employment opportunities.
Agara highlighted the inclusion of agriculture and food processing, such as crop production, beekeeping, horticulture, and poultry production—as part of the vocational skills, which he believes are vital to Nigeria’s food security and self-sufficiency.
