NEWS
FG Deepens IDEAS Project to Boost Employment, Expand Skills Training
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advancing youth skills development and driving sustainable employment through strengthened technical and vocational education across the country.
Through the Federal Ministry of Education and the Innovation Development for Effective Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, the government is expanding access to high-quality, market-relevant technical and vocational training designed to reduce unemployment and enhance workforce readiness among young Nigerians.
The IDEAS Project, under the leadership of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, aligns squarely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Tinubu, which prioritizes human capital development, youth empowerment, and inclusive economic transformation as pillars of national growth.
In a statement by the Director of Press Public Relations Folashade Boriowo on Saturday, the project, supported by the World Bank, in strengthening skills acquisition systems across accredited technical and vocational institutions nationwide.
Nigeria currently represents one of the World Bank’s largest education portfolios in West and Central Africa, underscoring the scale, strategic importance, and impact of this partnership.
As part of ongoing monitoring and evaluation efforts, the World Bank delegation recently visited Wavecrest School, a participating hospitality training institution under the IDEAS Project.
During the visit, the World Bank Lead Education Specialist and Regional Manager, Scherezad Latif, commended the progress recorded and expressed satisfaction with the quality of delivery.
“We are encouraged by the students’ motivation and the quality of market-relevant training being delivered,” she noted, describing the initiative as transformative in enhancing youth employability and strengthening Nigeria’s skills ecosystem.
Providing further insight into the implementation framework, the National Project Coordinator of IDEAS, Blessing Ehi Ogwu, explained that the project emphasizes competency-based training tailored to meet evolving labour market demands. Prospective trainees apply through a transparent and merit-based online process and are matched with accredited colleges and specialized training centres across the federation.
She highlighted that the programme is deliberately structured to ensure strong industry participation. Industry partners play an active role in curriculum development, training delivery, and practical sessions, thereby guaranteeing alignment between training outcomes and real-world workforce needs. Upon completion, many participants transition seamlessly into internship placements, with a growing number already securing gainful employment in their respective sectors.
IDEAS Project represents a critical intervention in repositioning technical and vocational education as a viable and attractive pathway to prosperity. He emphasized that the Ministry remains focused on bridging the long-standing gap between education and industry, ensuring that graduates possess not only certificates but also practical, job-ready competencies.
The Federal Ministry of Education further stated that measurable progress continues to be recorded in improving access, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering stronger collaboration between training institutions and employers.
These efforts are directly contributing to national economic reform objectives by equipping young Nigerians with the skills required to participate productively in a modern, diversified economy.
As implementation expands nationwide, the Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to scaling impact, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and ensuring that investments in skills development translate into sustainable livelihoods, enterprise growth, and long-term economic resilience.
The Federal Government reiterates that empowering Nigeria’s youth with relevant skills is central to building a competitive workforce, reducing unemployment, and unlocking the country’s vast human capital potential.
Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Prince Interior Vocational Institute have taken a significant step toward strengthening entrepreneurship and practical skills development among its students aimed at training professional furniture artisans.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), is expected to produce over 500 furniture artisans within two years.
In her remarks during the signing of the MoU, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof.
Sa’adatu Liman said that the collaboration was one of the criteria for TETFUND guidelines in entrepreneurial development output.Liman commended the company for finding the institution a worthy and reliable partner for the entrepreneurial and vocational project.
According to her, the partnership will be beneficial to the entire university community.
Earlier, the Director of the university Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), Prof. Rashidah Olanrewaju, said the university students will benefit from about 50 different skills in the EDC.
She appreciated the company for the partnership and wished the partners a successful and fruitful collaboration.
The Chief Executive Officer, Prince Interior Vocational Institute, Emeka Owgueke explained that the programme targets the establishment of a medium-scale furniture workshop on campus.
He said that the workshop will be equipped with the basic machines to sustain production and reduce the university’s overhead costs on furniture procurement.
According to Owgueke, the partnership represents a shared vision to create opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire marketable skills and build sustainable businesses within the furniture and interior design industry.
He explained that participants in the programme will be exposed to the entire furniture production value chain, including raw material sourcing, product manufacturing, finishing, branding, marketing, and distribution.
He said under the agreement, students of the university will receive hands-on training in furniture making, interior product design, and business development.
” Under the agreement, university students will be enrolled at Prince Interior Vocational Institute to acquire hands-on, certified training in furniture making, interior product design, and business development.
He commended the leadership of the University for recognising the importance of vocational education and enterprise development in addressing youth unemployment and building a resilient local economy.
“We are deeply grateful to Prof. Sa’adatu Liman and the leadership of the Nasarawa State University for recognising our uniqueness and extending this incredible opportunity to us.
” This partnership is more than an academic arrangement — it is a shared commitment to opening doors for more young Nigerians to boldly step into their career journey, whether from scratch, brushing up existing skills, or upgrading to the next level in the interior and design space.”
Students gain profitability-focused mentorship covering production, pricing, branding, and distribution of furniture goods.
Pope Leo calls for a ceasefire and denounces “horrific violence” in the Middle East
Pope Leo XIV has called for a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict as Israel and Iran continue to trade blows and the death toll across the region mounts.
“On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: cease fire,” Leo said today after the Sunday Angelus prayer in Vatican City.
The first American pontiff said people in the region have been “suffering the horrific violence of war” for the past two weeks since the conflict broke out.
“Thousands of innocent people have been killed and many more forced to flee their homes. I once again offer my prayers to all those who have lost loved ones in the attacks that have struck schools, hospitals and residential areas,” he said.
Leo added that “violence can never lead to the justice, stability and peace that the people are waiting for.”
FAAC Shares N1.894trn Feb Revenue to FG, States, LGCs
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
A total sum of N1.894 trillion, being February 2026 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.
The revenue was shared at the March 2026 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja, according to a statement by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the weekend.
The N1.894 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N1.274 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N619.119 billion.
A communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that total gross revenue of N2.230 trillion was available in the month of February 2026. Total deduction for cost of collection was N77.302 billion while total transfers, refunds and savings was N259.078 billion.
According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of N1.561 trillion was received for the month of February 2026. This was lower than the sum of N1.957 trillion received in the preceding month by N395.138 billion.
Gross revenue of N668.450 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in February 2026. This was lower than the N1.083 trillion available in the month of January 2026 by N414.710 billion.
The communiqué stated that from the N1.894 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N675.088 billion and the State Governments received a total sum of N651,525 billion.
The Local government Council received N456.467 billion, while the sum of N110.949 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting State as derivation revenue.
On the N1.274 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N613.174 billion and the State Governments received N311,010 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N239.776 billion and the sum of N110.949 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
From the N619.119 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N61.912 billion, the State Governments received N340.515 billion and the Local Government Councils received N216.692 billion.
In February 2026, Oil and Gas Royalty and Excise Duty increased significantly while Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), CGT and SDT and Value Added Tax (VAT) decreased substantially.
Import Duty and CET increased marginally
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