Government Equips 100 Youths with Hospitality and Culinary Skills

The Federal Government has successfully empowered 100 young Nigerians through a specialized hospitality and culinary training project.

This initiative, part of the Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) program, aims to combat rising unemployment by addressing significant skill shortages within the workforce.

Executed over six months by the Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank, the curriculum blended classroom theory with hands-on industry experience. Graduates received training aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework, ensuring their credentials meet recognized competency standards.

Khadijat Fashina, CEO of the Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute, noted that the academy was founded to mitigate the scarcity of trained professionals in the catering sector. She emphasized that the program enables participants to either launch their own ventures or enhance their competitiveness in the job market.

Ayomide Adeagbo, Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, remarked that the government is shifting its focus toward skills-based employment.

He stated that the administration is committed to long-term success for beneficiaries by providing access to financial support, such as the Creative Economy Development Fund, to assist with business growth.

Blessing Ogwu, the National Project Coordinator of IDEAS-TVET at the Federal Ministry of Education, urged the graduates to prioritize entrepreneurship and maximize the opportunities afforded by the program. For participants like Patience Anaja, the experience was life-changing, turning a personal interest in cooking into a professional career path.

As Nigeria addresses the mismatch between job seeker qualifications and industry requirements, this initiative highlights the growing emphasis on technical and vocational education. The hospitality, tourism, and creative service sectors are seen as vital areas for future job creation and economic development.