By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has stepped up monitoring of its technical and vocational education programmes, with 75 beneficiaries undergoing free training in beauty and cosmetology at a selected centre in Lagos State under the World Bank-supported Innovation Development and Effectiveness in Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project.
The monitoring exercise also revealed improvements in practical skills training and student enrolment at the Federal Technical College (FTC), Yaba, following the implementation of the intervention at the institution.
The assessment, conducted by the National Project Monitoring Officer for TVET and IDEAS in the Office of the Minister of Education, Mr Olatunji Odewunmi, covered Elegant Twins Institute of Cosmetology, Surulere, and FTC Yaba.
It was designed to evaluate training delivery, institutional performance, compliance with programme requirements and the progress made by beneficiaries, while ensuring accountability for government investments in vocational education.
The IDEAS Project, a Federal Government initiative supported by the World Bank and implemented through the Federal Ministry of Education, is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, improving institutional capacity and equipping learners with industry-relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
The intervention complements the government’s wider TVET reform agenda under Pillar One of the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
Speaking during the visit, Odewunmi commended Elegant Twins Institute for its quality of instruction, practical training and the enthusiasm displayed by beneficiaries.
He explained that the monitoring exercise was necessary to ensure that participating centres fulfilled their obligations and that government investments in vocational education translated into measurable results.
Odewunmi disclosed that Lagos State had approximately 128 TVET centres offering opportunities for Nigerians to acquire vocational skills.
He said the programme provides support for essential training requirements, including registration, accommodation and learning materials, while each beneficiary receives a monthly stipend of ₦30,000.
According to him, training service providers also receive ₦50,000 monthly for every trainee to facilitate effective programme delivery.
He added that the intervention was designed to expand Nigeria’s skilled workforce, build local technical capacity, reduce dependence on foreign artisans and equip young people with the skills needed to secure employment or establish businesses.
At FTC Yaba, the IDEAS Project Manager, Abimbola Oyedeji, said the intervention, which began about five years ago, had contributed to increased student enrolment and improved practical training at the institution.
She listed the vocational areas supported by the project to include Blocklaying and Concreting, Tiling, Woodwork, Auto Body Building and Computer Craft.
She said the training covers practical skills in block production, tile installation, furniture making, upholstery, carpentry, joinery, panel beating, automobile mechanics, Information and Communication Technology and Robotics Engineering. Catering Craft is also included.
Oyedeji expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its intervention, noting that the support had strengthened technical education, enhanced institutional capacity and expanded opportunities for students to acquire workplace-relevant competencies.
At Elegant Twins Institute of Cosmetology, the Centre Manager, Kunle Oladunjoye, disclosed that the institution was selected as a training service provider to train 75 beneficiaries in beauty and cosmetology.
He described the selection process as transparent and merit-based, explaining that applicants underwent interviews and verification of their submitted information.
Oladunjoye said the training was being handled by qualified professional instructors, including former students with considerable industry experience.
He noted that the beneficiaries had made encouraging progress, adding that they were developing the practical skills and confidence required to establish their own businesses.
He also commended the Federal Government for meeting its financial obligations to the centre and providing monthly stipends to beneficiaries, saying the support had helped facilitate effective training.
The institute’s founder, Mrs Elizabeth Adebisi Oshisoya, who traced her involvement in cosmetology training to 1950, described the programme as an opportunity to widen access to professional vocational skills.
She recalled her longstanding training activities in Ibadan, Ijebu and Calabar and appreciated the Federal Government for supporting vocational empowerment and self-reliance.
Some beneficiaries also shared their experiences, highlighting the practical knowledge and financial support received through the initiative.
Abdulhakeem Shamsudeen said he had acquired additional competencies in nail technology and makeup, building on his previous experience in the beauty industry.
He confirmed that the training was free and that he received the monthly stipend of ₦30,000.
Similarly, Omotosho Okwemi praised the government for providing free vocational training and financial assistance, while Boma Messe-Britz highlighted the practical skills she had acquired in makeup, hairdressing, nail technology and spa services.
The beneficiaries commended their instructors and urged the government to sustain the initiative.
At FTC Yaba, Leo Uzoma also appreciated the Federal Government for providing free training and equipment, noting that access to appropriate facilities had improved his practical learning experience.
Another beneficiary, Oni Oluwada, said the programme had expanded his knowledge of electrical installation, including basic electrical connections and socket installation.
Adebayo Mowufin Oluwada said the training was helping her improve her knowledge of electrical installation in preparation for further studies and a career in electrical engineering.
The monitoring exercise underscores the Federal Ministry of Education’s efforts to strengthen quality assurance and accountability in the implementation of TVET interventions.
Through direct engagement with training providers, instructors and beneficiaries, the ministry said it would continue to assess programme delivery, identify areas requiring improvement and ensure that participating institutions comply with established standards.
The Federal Government is also expected to sustain monitoring and evaluation activities across its TVET programmes to ensure effective implementation and measurable outcomes, particularly in expanding access to skills development, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
