Government Sponsors Vocational Training for 100 Young People in Hospitality Industry

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The Federal Government has trained and empowered 100 young Nigerians in culinary and hospitality skills under the Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills initiative, as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and close critical skills gaps.

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The six-month programme, implemented by Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute Academy, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank, combined intensive classroom learning with practical industry experience.

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At the closing ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Khadijat Fashina, said the academy was established to respond to a shortage of skilled professionals in the hospitality and catering sector.

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“I discovered there was a major skills gap in the industry, and that was affecting many entrepreneurs. That is why we decided to focus on bridging that gap,” she said.

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She explained that the training structure was designed to ensure participants gain both theoretical knowledge and real-world exposure.

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“At the end of the programme, they are better positioned to either start their own businesses or become more employable,” she added.

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According to her, the participants were trained under the National Skills Qualification Framework to ensure standardised, competency-based certification.

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Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Ayomide Adeagbo, said the initiative reflects a shift in focus toward skills-driven employment in a changing global economy.

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“The world is moving beyond traditional nine-to-five jobs. Skills and talent now matter a lot, and that is why the government is investing in programmes like this to empower young people,” he said.

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Adeagbo noted that the programme forms part of broader efforts to equip Nigerians with practical skills across multiple sectors, adding that mechanisms have been put in place to support beneficiaries after the training.

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“We are not just training people and leaving them. There are follow-up plans, including access to funding through initiatives like the Creative Economy Development Fund, which will help beneficiaries start and grow their businesses,” he stated.

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He also highlighted the importance of policy support in driving growth within the creative and skills economy.

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“Policy and funding are the foundation for growth. We have created both to ensure that young Nigerians can thrive in the creative and skills economy,” he added.

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In her remarks, the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS-TVET initiative at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, commended the trainees for their commitment and urged them to make the most of the opportunity.

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“We want you to count yourselves fortunate. Not everyone has access to this kind of opportunity. When we were younger, many of us did not have this platform,” she said.

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She also encouraged the graduates to focus on entrepreneurship rather than relying solely on paid employment.

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One of the beneficiaries, Patience Anaja, described the training as transformative, noting that it allowed her to turn a personal passion into a viable career path.

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“I’ve always loved being in the kitchen. When I saw this opportunity, I knew it was a chance to do what I truly enjoy,” she said.

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She added that the programme had strengthened her practical skills and entrepreneurial capacity, calling for its expansion to benefit more young Nigerians.

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Nigeria continues to grapple with high youth unemployment and a growing mismatch between the skills possessed by job seekers and the needs of industry. In recent years, policymakers have increasingly turned to technical and vocational education and training as a practical response, aiming to equip young people with hands-on competencies that improve their employability or enable entrepreneurship.

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Sectors such as hospitality, tourism, and creative services have been identified as key growth areas with strong potential for job creation, particularly given Nigeria’s expanding urban population and evolving service economy.

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