By Michael Oche
Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr. Silas Ali Agara, has expressed support for the Federal Government’s policy to integrate 15 vocational skills into Nigeria’s primary and secondary school curricula, noting that this initiative is expected to significantly enhance youth employment opportunities across the country.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the NDE boss described the policy as a “pragmatic and far-reaching component” of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement of the initiative highlights a commitment to addressing unemployment, non-productivity, and youth restiveness in a nation with one of the world’s largest youth populations.
The NDE DG also emphasised that the policy reflects Tinubu’s goal to foster a generation of skilled, focused, and empowered young Nigerians who are equipped to impact their world.
Agara explained that the new curriculum overhaul is part of a comprehensive strategy of the current administration 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,” Agara noted.
He further explained that by embedding these skills in the curriculum, the administration prioritizes early skill acquisition to empower the country’s youth to contribute to national productivity through self-employment and the creation of 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 centers in universities nationwide as part of efforts to promote skills, technology, and vocational education for job creation,” he added.
Agara then stated that the NDE is examining the new policy to integrate it with its ongoing interventions, ensuring Nigerians are prepared for gainful employment opportunities.
He 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 is vital to Nigeria’s food security and self-sufficiency.