TETFund to Establish 24 Skills Centres

The Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has announced plans to establish twenty-four skills and innovation centers across the country to assist Nigerians achieve their potential and boost productivity.

The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, stated this in Abuja when he, accompanied by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mister Sonny Echono, paid a visit to Innov8 Hub, along UMAR Musa Yaradua Airport Road.

A statement released by TETFund on Wednesday said the support is to be given through the Ministry of Education.

Innov8 is a focal point for Innovation Start-up Incubation, Technology Transfer, Knowledge and Skill Impartation, Prototype Development and Fabrication.

TETFund is currently partnering with Innov8 Hub for practical training and mentorship for Nigerian youths and academics to produce employable graduates and boost research.

Speaking during the visit, Mammam disclosed that the plan to provide 24 skills centres across the country was to ensure equal opportunities for all Nigerians wherever they are.

He also commended TETfund and Innov8 hub for supplying the learners and researchers from Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities with the platform to undertake very practical impactful research.

He said: “Now, what I see here is enough to provide the knowledge incubation to take Nigeria to the highest level.

“What I have seen here is a place that gives hope to the young ones who have the ideas, who have a disposition to acquire basic skills that they need to move on and have a decent livelihood.

“What I have seen here is a major source of inspiration and we are going to work with the sector as they are already doing with TETFund.

“We want to be grateful to TETfund for this relationship.

“This place is owned by a private person but working closely with one of the government agencies in the education sector that is supplying the learners and the researchers from Colleges of Education, polytechnics and universities to come here and undertake very practical impactful research.”

However, the Minister lamented that the off-takers were not doing their part, which according to him, was the missing part of the plan.

Mamma, therefore, promised that this time around the government would ensure to bridge the gap between researchers and the industries.

He added: “I’m going to be the chief advocate in this regard.

“I’m going to bring in some of the big entrepreneurs to come and see this place and also ensure that some of our people in relevant ministry positions come here and see what this place is doing and the potential it provides to this country.

“We will also train our students and give them skills.

“We are going to work together to generate a lot of young Nigerians who are out there from IDPs and everywhere to give them the necessary training.”

February 28, 2024