By Idris Auwal
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to formally recognise Nigeria’s informal training hubs such as the Phanteka in Kaduna, Jos and other cities, integrating them into the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
This is part of the new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative.
The formal recognition was disclosed at an engagement meeting of the National Association of Pantekas’ in Nigeria with the Minister of Education in Abuja.
The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje said the Ministry of Education through the NBTE had already registered the Kaduna Panteka under the NSQF.
Bugaje said the registration was done with support from Kaduna State Governor Sen. Uba Sani, who had begun infrastructure upgrades including roads, ICT centres, a clinic, fire service, water systems and drainage.
“Kaduna Panteka is one of the oldest and most vibrant informal industries in Nigeria. Every week, even during COVID-19, trailers of their products left Kaduna for Niger and Mali.
“Their ingenuity has kept youths engaged, reduced crime, and supported the local economy,” Bugaje said .
He disclosed that more than 38,000 apprentices are currently undergoing training at Kaduna Panteka, a number surpassing the student population of Kaduna Polytechnic.
According to him, such centres are not just markets but “real industries” that deserve recognition, support and funding.
He appealed to the Minister of Education, the Minister of State, and the Permanent Secretary to recognise Panteka and similar informal hubs as national training centres.
He also called for the creation of a dedicated budget line to equip them with modern tools, enabling them to rival China in replication and innovation
He cited examples from Lagos’ Computer Village and Aba’s Ariaria Market, both globally known for innovation and exports.
“These informal hubs are economic treasures. In Aba, shoes are exported to Botswana and sold as if they were made in Italy.
“We must harness these assets to fight unemployment, insecurity, and poverty,” he said.
Responding, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, pledged support scheme for TVET centres across the country to equip youths with critical skills for national development.
According to him, the accredited training centres will now receive direct funding tied to student enrolment.
“For every student trained, centres will earn ₦45,000, disbursed in three tranches of 40 per cent, 30 per cent, and 30 per cent to ensure accountability and reinvestment in workshops and learning facilities.
“We have already accredited 308 centres, and once accreditation is secured, government will pay for every student you train.
“This funding model is designed not just to ease operational costs but to encourage quality training that produces skilled graduates,” Alausa said.
Alausa noted that graduates of the programme would also receive starter packs, designed in collaboration with NBTE, to help them establish self-owned businesses or integrate into the workforce.
“This way, we are not only training youths but also creating guaranteed pathways for employment.
” The agenda is to produce skilled Nigerians and ensure they are absorbed into the system through government-backed projects,” he said.
To further ease participation, he said government had committed to covering part of the cost of accreditation for training centres and providing stipends and transport support for students, ensuring no young person was excluded due to financial constraints.
This initiative, he said, was part of a broader strategy to revive Nigeria’s tradition of strong technical manpower, reminiscent of practices from five decades ago when skilled workers formed the backbone of national development.
The Panteka National President, Nasiru Adamu, said the Panteka industry played a vital role in Nigeria’s economic landscape as a private organisation for jobs creation, poverty alleviation and hands-on skills.
Adamu urged the government to recognise the certificates obtained under Panteka skills based programmes as it was done by NBTE NSQF.
He also called for curriculum review to accommodate courses offered at various Panteka industrial centres. (NAN)