…Commissions Community Education Centre in Ikot Abasi

By Joseph Erunke

The Federal Government has announced plans to empower at least 650,000 Nigerian youths with technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years. This is part of efforts to align the nation’s workforce with emerging industrial and labor demands.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, made the disclosure during the commissioning of the Community and Education Centre in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State. She was represented by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Ikot Abasi, Prof. Leo Daniel.

According to the Minister, the initiative falls under the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), designed to transition the country from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy. As part of this effort, the Ministry plans to introduce incentives such as monthly stipends, starter packs, and take-off grants to attract young Nigerians to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.

“Over the next two years, the Federal Government aims to empower at least 650,000 youths with the skills required to meet the evolving needs of our industries,” Prof. Ahmad said. “This center we commission today is more than just infrastructure—it is a symbol of hope, learning, and opportunity.”

She described education as the foundation of national development, adding that NESRI is focused on key pillars including STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences), TVET, out-of-school children, girl-child education, education quality assurance, and data and digitalization.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, she noted, has approved N120 billion to drive the TVET agenda, highlighting the administration’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youth with practical skills for the future.

The newly commissioned Ikot Abasi Community and Education Centre will serve as a hub for skills acquisition, digital literacy, adult education, and youth empowerment. It aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s strategy to expand access to quality education, bridge the digital divide, and promote inclusive learning nationwide.

Prof. Ahmad praised the Akwa Ibom State Government for its support and called on community leaders to take ownership of the center and ensure its sustainability.

“This center should not be seen as a mere government project, but as a springboard to unlock the limitless potential within the community,” she said. “Let this place produce scholars, artisans, innovators, and leaders who will contribute meaningfully to our nation.”

In his remarks, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), Prof. Simon Ibor Akpama, described the commissioning as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to literacy, inclusive education, and economic empowerment.

Prof. Akpama said the center’s curriculum combines basic literacy, post-literacy, and vocational training to empower underserved youths and adults in the region.

He urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to support the initiative by deploying facilitators and replicating similar centers across all 31 local government areas of the state.

“This center is not just a building; it is a beacon of hope, growth, and opportunity,” Akpama said. “Let us all protect and utilize this facility to its full potential for the benefit of our youth and the broader community.”