The Federal Government has trained and empowered 100 young Nigerians in culinary and hospitality skills under a targeted initiative aimed at reducing unemployment and addressing critical skills gaps.
The programme, implemented under the Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project, was carried out in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank.
Delivered by Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute Academy, the six-month training combined classroom instruction with hands-on industry experience to equip participants with practical competencies.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in Abuja, the institute’s Chief Executive Officer, Khadijat Fashina, said the initiative was designed to bridge the shortage of skilled professionals in the hospitality sector.
She noted that the programme provided participants with both theoretical knowledge and real-world exposure, positioning them to either secure employment or establish their own businesses.
According to her, the training was aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework to ensure standardised, competency-based certification for all beneficiaries.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Ayomide Adeagbo, said the initiative reflects a broader shift toward skills-based employment in a rapidly evolving global economy.
He emphasised that the government is prioritising practical skills development as traditional employment structures continue to change, adding that support mechanisms have been put in place to assist beneficiaries beyond the training phase.
Adeagbo disclosed that participants may benefit from funding opportunities, including access to the Creative Economy Development Fund, to help them launch and grow their ventures.
In her remarks, the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS-TVET programme at the ministry, Blessing Ogwu, encouraged the trainees to maximise the opportunity and embrace entrepreneurship.
One of the beneficiaries, Patience Anaja, described the programme as life-changing, noting that it helped her transform her passion for cooking into a viable career path.
The initiative comes amid ongoing concerns over youth unemployment and the mismatch between available skills and labour market demands in Nigeria.
Experts say sectors such as hospitality, tourism, and creative services hold significant potential for job creation, particularly as the country’s service economy continues to expand.
