TETFund, Nigerian Academy of Engineering partner to bridge skills gap

 By Idris Temidayo

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at bridging the skills gap in Nigeria.

The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Abuja on Monday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sonny Echono, TETFund’s executive secretary, commended the NAE and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) for their dedication to advancing engineering education and skills development across the country.

He noted the urgent need for Nigeria to move beyond discussions and take decisive action on technical, industrial, vocational, and entrepreneurship training (TIVET).

“Over the years, Nigeria has introduced several policies on TIVET, yet implementation has been lacking. Many polytechnics, which should be the backbone of TIVET, offer courses unrelated to technical and vocational training,” Echono said.

“Their laboratories and workshops are often equipped with obsolete tools, and many lack the skilled personnel needed to operate these facilities. Issues like unstable power supply also continue to hinder production, teaching, and learning.

He described the MoU as a framework for collaboration that will drive real change in TIVET and counter criticisms that Nigeria is not doing enough to develop its workforce.

“We will not take offense at criticisms; instead, we will work to address these challenges. With the cooperation of government agencies, the legislature, and key stakeholders, we are committed to making tangible progress,” he added.

Rahamon Bello, the president of NAE, described the MoU signing as a historic milestone, marking the beginning of a coordinated effort to strengthen TVET in Nigeria.

He noted that Nigeria suffers from a severe shortage of technicians and artisans, creating an imbalance in the engineering profession.

“We have an inverted pyramid in the engineering sector. While there are many professionals, the lack of technicians and artisans is a critical gap that must be urgently addressed,” Bello said.

However, the federal government has begun taking steps to correct this through initiatives like the National Skills qualification framework (NSQF) and the inclusion of national skills qualification in Nigeria’s scheme of service.”

Also speaking at the event, Margaret Oguntola, the NSE president, stressed that engineering and technical education are essential for national development.

She described the signing of the MoU as a long-overdue step toward revitalizing TVET in Nigeria.

“TVET plays a crucial role in providing a skilled workforce for national development. At NSE, TVET is a core part of our strategic agenda, specifically under the ‘community impact’ pillar,” Oguntola said.

“The signing of this MoU is a major step toward strengthening the technical industry by leveraging available skills and expertise.”

She expressed optimism that the partnership would chart a clear path for the advancement of technical education and skills development in Nigeria.

With this MoU, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria’s engineering and technical workforce will be better equipped to meet the demands of the modern economy, thereby driving industrial growth and national development.