The Federal Government has inaugurated Ladela Educational Institute as an accredited Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) centre under the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to equip Nigerian youths with free practical and employable skills.
The Executive Director of the institute, Angela Ajala, made this announcement during a press conference held on Wednesday in the capital city.
Ajala explained that the fully-funded, tuition-free programme is targeted at young Nigerians aged 18 to 35, especially those without formal education, providing them with life-changing opportunities in technical and vocational fields.
She stated that the centre’s accreditation marks a significant step in bridging the country’s widening skill gap.
“Today marks a defining moment, not just for us as an institution, but for every young person with a dream and determination to build something with their hands.
We are proud to be building Nigeria one skilled hand at a time.
The programmes here will be delivered by industry professionals to ensure that graduates leave not just with technical skills, but with industry connections, confidence and real-world competence,” they said
The institute will offer five skill programmes, each designed to run over a six-month period:
Ajala encouraged interested Nigerians to register via the official NBTE portal, noting that eligibility is limited to applicants aged 18–35 with a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
Pauline Ajibili, Deputy Director at the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), stressed the importance of the certification being offered.
“This is a national initiative and it has already begun, with the registration portal currently open and placements underway.
“Once registration closes, the NBTE will allocate trainees to various centres across the country based on location and capacity,” Pauline stated
She urged young Nigerians to embrace the initiative as a viable pathway to financial independence and skill empowerment, emphasising that every young person has the opportunity to acquire a skill, find meaningful work, or start a business through the programme.
The Federal Ministry of Education, through the NBTE, announced a nationwide roll‑out of a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program.
Additionally, training environments must meet certain standards, and applicants must apply through the NBTE Digital Portal.