National TVET Conference 2026: FG, Lagos to Advance Skills, Employment and Green Growth in Nigeria

Nigeria will host the National TVET Conference 2026 from June 8–10, bringing together government, industry, academia and development partners to strengthen TVET, employment, inclusion and green growth.

Nigeria to Host National TVET Conference 2026 from June 8–10

Nigeria is set to host the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference 2026 from 8 to 10 June, with a strong focus on advancing skills development, expanding employment opportunities and supporting industrial growth.

The conference will be convened by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB). It is expected to bring together key stakeholders from government, industry, development agencies, academia and civil society to strengthen coordination and accelerate reforms within Nigeria’s TVET ecosystem.

The conference will be held under the theme: “Harnessing TVET as a Pathway to Employment: Building a System for Employability, Inclusion, and Green Growth in Nigeria.”

Focus on Employability, Inclusion and Green Growth

The National TVET Conference 2026 is being positioned as an important platform to align Nigeria’s skills development system with current labour market demands. The event will focus on how technical and vocational education can become a stronger pathway to decent work, entrepreneurship, productivity and inclusive economic growth.

With Nigeria’s large youth population and growing demand for skilled manpower across sectors, the conference is expected to highlight the need for practical, industry-relevant training systems that can improve employability and support national development.

The discussions are likely to cover areas such as workforce readiness, industry-led training, skills certification, inclusion of young people and vulnerable groups, green jobs, sustainable development, and stronger collaboration between training institutions and employers.

Strengthening Nigeria’s TVET Ecosystem

The conference comes at a time when countries across Africa are increasingly focusing on TVET as a critical driver of jobs, productivity and economic transformation. For Nigeria, strengthening the TVET system is viewed as essential to addressing unemployment, skills mismatch and the need for a future-ready workforce.

By bringing together policymakers, training institutions, private sector representatives and development partners, the National TVET Conference 2026 aims to support a more coordinated approach to skills development.

The event is expected to help transform ongoing reforms into scalable and sustainable actions that can respond to labour market needs and unlock opportunities for Nigeria’s young population.

International Development Partners to Support the Event

The National TVET Conference 2026 is supported by the governments of Germany, Switzerland, Korea and France. It is being organised in cooperation with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and other development partners.

Key international organisations and partners associated with the event include the Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS, UNESCO, UNICEF, International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Young African International (YAI), British Council and Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA).

The participation of these partners reflects the growing international focus on skills development, youth employment, green growth and inclusive education systems.

A Platform for Policy, Industry and Skills Collaboration

The National TVET Conference 2026 is expected to provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and partnership-building among stakeholders working in technical education, vocational training, employment and workforce development.

The involvement of the Federal Ministry of Education and Lagos State Government through LASTVEB is also significant, as Lagos remains one of Nigeria’s major economic and industrial centres. The conference is expected to encourage stronger links between training systems and real industry requirements.

Stakeholders are expected to use the platform to identify practical solutions for improving training quality, expanding access, strengthening certification systems, improving placement outcomes and supporting green and inclusive growth.

Why the Conference Matters

The National TVET Conference 2026 represents a major opportunity for Nigeria to build stronger pathways between education, skills and employment. As industries evolve and new technologies reshape the world of work, TVET systems must be more responsive, inclusive and aligned with market needs.

For young people, a strengthened TVET ecosystem can provide access to practical skills, sustainable livelihoods and career opportunities. For industry, it can help address skills shortages and improve productivity. For government and development partners, it offers a framework to align investments, reforms and programmes toward measurable employment outcomes.

The conference is expected to contribute to a broader national conversation on how Nigeria can build a skilled, employable and future-ready workforce capable of supporting industrial growth and sustainable development.

Key Highlights

Conclusion

The National TVET Conference 2026 is expected to play an important role in advancing Nigeria’s skills development agenda. With strong participation from government, industry and international development partners, the event aims to support a more coordinated, inclusive and labour-market-responsive TVET system.

As Nigeria continues to focus on youth employment, industrial growth and sustainable development, the conference may serve as a key platform for shaping practical reforms and partnerships that can strengthen the country’s workforce for the future.