The Federal Government has announced plans for a nationwide audit of skills acquisition centres, a initiative unveiled by Vice President, Kashim Shettima on July 10, 2025, in Abuja.
Aimed at transforming Nigeria’s 50 million-strong workforce, the audit will assess 1,200 centres across 36 states and the FCT, targeting inefficiencies and aligning training with industries like tech and agriculture. The move addresses a 2024 World Bank report highlighting a 40% skills mismatch.
The audit, set to begin August 1, 2025, will cost ₦5 billion, funded through the 2025 budget, and involve 500 inspectors. It follows a pilot in Lagos, where 70% of centres lacked modern equipment.
Shettima emphasized job creation, targeting 2 million skilled workers by 2030, though critics question funding sustainability amid a ₦1.2 trillion deficit. Stakeholders, including the Manufacturers Association, support the plan, but rural access remains a challenge. The government plans a skills expo by year-end to showcase results, with early data due in October.