The Founder of Flyingdove Institute of Technology, Mrs. Animashaun Oriyomi, has described the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as one of the most impactful programmes introduced for Nigerian youths in recent decades.

Speaking during an interview with the Convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group and National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring PR, Bamidele Atoyebi, the education entrepreneur said the programme was bridging the long-standing gap between academic institutions and industry needs.

According to her, developed economies thrive because they possess a strong technical and vocational workforce that support industrial growth, stressing that Nigeria had for years focused more on producing graduates for research while neglecting the middle-level technical manpower needed to drive industries.

She explained that the current TVET initiative not only equips youths with technical knowledge and vocational training but also provides stipends, starter packs and access to funding opportunities through institutions such as the Bank of Industry.

“That is one of the best things you can do for young people — empower them to help themselves and reduce unemployment,” she said.

Mrs. Oriyomi added that the programme has the potential to significantly reduce the nation’s unemployment rate if properly sustained and expanded.

She, however, noted that awareness about the initiative remains low, urging the government to intensify publicity so more Nigerians can benefit from it.

“A lot of people are still unaware of the TVET initiative. It is a fantastic programme that should be sustained because it is capable of making a huge impact,” she stated.

Speaking on challenges facing enrolment into vocational programmes, the institution founder described the process as “a work in progress,” explaining that many learners were still struggling with registration and centre selection.

She recalled that during the first batch enrolment, many applicants faced difficulties due to the distance between their locations and training centres.

According to her, the second batch was designed to address that challenge by allowing learners to choose centres closer to them.

“The portal has been open for weeks and many learners are still enrolling. Progress is being made to ensure they can select centres nearest to them,” she explained.

Assessing the performance of the Tinubu administration in the education sector, Mrs. Oluwole commended several reforms introduced by the Federal Government, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), TVET programmes and support initiatives for tertiary institution workers.

She said NELFUND had provided undergraduates with access to loans that ease the burden of tuition and feeding, thereby improving their academic performance.

“When students are comfortable and school fees or feeding are no longer major problems, they are able to focus better on their studies,” she noted.

Despite praising the administration’s education policies, the school proprietor stressed that implementation and communication remain major gaps.

She added that many beneficial programmes fail to reach intended beneficiaries because of poor awareness and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

“It is not enough to have good policies. The people who are meant to benefit from them must know about them, and nobody should be allowed to truncate the process midway,” she said.

Mrs. Oriyomi also called for better implementation of policies across sectors, including local government autonomy, to ensure initiatives are not disrupted before reaching ordinary Nigerians.

On the impact of fuel subsidy removal and rising operational costs on private institutions, the education entrepreneur admitted that the business climate has become increasingly difficult.

She noted that the cost of running businesses, particularly in the education sector, has risen sharply since the removal of subsidy, adding that many private institutions are struggling to cope.

“An average Nigerian business owner is feeling the heat. The business environment is not smiling at the moment,” she stated.

She, however, maintained that while some government initiatives were designed to cushion the effects of economic hardship, many business owners had yet to fully benefit from them due to systemic challenges.

According to her, the Federal Government must ensure that intervention programmes are effectively implemented so that businesses can genuinely experience the intended relief.

“We know some of these policies may eventually benefit the country, but government must ensure that business owners are not only feeling the pain of reforms but also enjoying the benefits,” she added.

The educationist concluded by reiterating that the Tinubu administration had introduced notable initiatives in the education sector, but emphasised that sustained implementation, accessibility and public awareness would determine their long-term success.