Nigeria's Federal Government has used a high level education platform in London to outline its strategy for reducing youth unemployment through non formal education, vocational training and digital skills development.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the case at a special plenary session of the ongoing Education World Forum in London, moderated by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh. The session focused on the role of non formal education and soft skills in improving wellbeing, employability and industry participation in education systems.

A statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday by the minister's Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Ikharo Attah, outlined the key positions Alausa presented at the forum.

The minister stated that the Tinubu administration was pursuing flexible learning pathways combining literacy education, technical training and entrepreneurship development to enhance employability and economic inclusion, particularly for out of school youths, adults and vulnerable populations.

Alausa disclosed that the government developed an Accelerated Basic Education Programme to enable out of school children to acquire foundational learning within a shorter period and transition into productive livelihoods.

He added that Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiatives had been intensified, with tuition free vocational training, stipends and start up support provided to close skills gaps and promote entrepreneurship.

"We have infused entrepreneurial training across learning levels to equip learners with innovation and business skills needed for self reliance," he stated.

The minister explained that a separate curriculum had been designed for out-of-school children. "We've created a separate curriculum for them called the accelerated basic education programme, which ties them to what they should be learning in school," he said.

Alausa also highlighted efforts to integrate the Almajiri education system with basic education and vocational skills training to improve social inclusion, and confirmed that digital technology training was being expanded to prepare young Nigerians with future ready skills.

He commended the Duke of Edinburgh for his visit to Nigeria in November 2025 and noted that Nigeria remained an active participant in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation.

Other panellists at the session included Ontario's Minister of Education, Paul Calandra; Secretary of State for Education of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Raquel Teixeira; and International Youth Representative of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Foundation, Andrea Chakma.