By Chioma Favour
Abuja, March 12, 2026 – The Federal Ministry of Education has formalised a strategic partnership with Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education Education Services (ITEES) aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
The agreement was signed during a virtual ceremony connecting officials in Abuja and Singapore, with Nigeria represented by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Singapore represented by ITE Education Services (ITEES).
The collaboration builds on engagements initiated during the 2025 official visit of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, to Singapore, where he met with Singapore’s Minister of Education, Desmond Lee, and toured several ITE campuses. Further discussions were later held in Abuja with the Singapore High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lim Sim Seng, to finalise the agreement.
Under the partnership, ITEES will support Nigeria through a Train-the-Trainer Programme aimed at improving the pedagogical and assessment skills of instructors across technical institutions in the country.
The programme is designed to ensure Nigerian technical educators deliver high-quality training aligned with global standards.
The agreement also includes leadership training in Singapore for principals and heads of departments from Nigerian technical institutions. In addition, the Global Excellence Model for Skills Training (GEMSET) will be introduced to help assess Nigerian TVET institutions against internationally recognised standards.
Through the GEMSET framework, institutions will be evaluated across seven key dimensions of TVET excellence, providing a structured pathway for institutional improvement, modern workshop development, and alignment with global best practices.
Speaking on the development, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, noted that Singapore’s technical education model has become a global reference point for countries seeking to build highly skilled and competitive workforces.
He said the collaboration would accelerate Nigeria’s technical education transformation by strengthening institutional capacity and equipping educators with modern teaching and assessment methods.
According to the minister, the partnership also aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy to reposition technical education as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and industrial development.
The initiative supports the National Education, Skills and Research for Innovation (NESRI) agenda of the ministry and contributes to the broader vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a globally competitive, knowledge-driven economy powered by skills and innovation.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging international partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s technical education system and equip young Nigerians with globally competitive skills.
