The Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Dr. Iyela Ajayi, has stated that exposing young people to entrepreneurship-oriented training will prepare them to contribute meaningfully to national development.

According to him, early exposure to such skills would help young Nigerians to innovate, compete globally, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Dr Ajayi stated this in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the 2025 long vacation skills acquisition programme for 100 selected senior secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The two-week programme, which the commission organised in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), saw participants receiving hands-on training in various trades including Plaster of Paris (POP) design, tiling, plumbing, painting and decoration, solar panel installation, CCTV installation, catering and culinary skills, as well as robotics.

Represented by the Head, Teacher Development and International Partnerships at NSSEC, Mohammed Salihu, Dr. Ajayi described the programme as a milestone in the Commission’s efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises education, skills development, youth empowerment, and job creation.

Ajayi charged them to put their new skills to use in building a future of creativity, problem-solving, and self-reliance. “You are leaving this programme not just with skills, but with a new mindset. Use these skills to build a brighter future for yourselves, your families, and our nation,” he urged.

Ajayi expressed appreciation to the ITF for its collaboration, the FCT Education Secretariat for supporting accommodation for participants, and the Ministry of Education for its unwavering guidance.

The pilot programme, he said, represents a practical demonstration of what can be achieved through synergy between government, institutions, and stakeholders in pursuit of educational transformation.

Also, the Director General of ITF, Dr. Afiz Ogun, commended the students for their discipline and commitment during the training, noting that the skills acquired would not only enhance their career prospects but also position them to become employers of labour in the future.

Represented by Ojo Akindele, he assured that the fund remained committed to supporting government’s agenda on youth empowerment and human capital development.

The Mandate Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, said the secretariat’s support was part of its resolve to create a safe and enabling environment for students to benefit from life-changing opportunities, assuring that the FCT Administration would continue to partner with relevant agencies to promote skills-based education.

Some of the students who spoke at the event described the programme as “life-transforming,” saying they were eager to apply their new knowledge in practical ventures.