Mariam Abeeb
No fewer than 100 young Nigerians have completed a six-month culinary and hospitality training programme under the Federal Government-backed Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) initiative.
The training, implemented by Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute Academy, is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the World Bank, aimed at tackling unemployment and bridging skills gaps in key sectors.
Speaking in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the training, the Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Khadijat Fashina, said the organisation was established about five years ago to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the hospitality and catering industry.
“I discovered there was a major skills gap in the industry, and that was affecting many entrepreneurs. That is why we decided to focus on bridging that gap,” she said.
Fashino explained that the programme runs for six months, comprising three months of intensive training and another three months of internship in the open market, equipping participants with hands-on experience.
“At the end of the programme, they are better positioned to either start their own businesses or become more employable,” she added.
She noted that participants were trained using the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), developed by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), ensuring competency-based learning and certification.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Ayomide Adeagbo, said the initiative reflected the government’s recognition of the evolving global economy where skills and talent were increasingly critical.
“The world is moving beyond traditional nine-to-five jobs. Skills and talent now matter a lot, and that is why the government is investing in programmes like this to empower young people,” he said.
Adeagbo explained that the training was part of broader efforts to equip Nigerians across various sectors, not limited to gastronomy, with practical skills that could reduce unemployment and drive economic growth.
He added that the government had put in place measures to sustain the programme, including post-training support mechanisms.
“We are not just training people and leaving them. There are follow-up plans, including access to funding through initiatives like the Creative Economy Development Fund, which will help beneficiaries start and grow their businesses,” he stated.
On creating an enabling environment, he emphasised the role of policy reforms, noting that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, had developed key frameworks such as intellectual property policies to support creatives.
“Policy and funding are the foundation for growth. We have created both to ensure that young Nigerians can thrive in the creative and skills economy,” he added.
Also speaking, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS-TVET initiative, Federal Ministry of Education, commended the participants for their dedication throughout the training.
Ogwu described them as “lucky” to benefit from the initiative, which he said was designed to reduce unemployment and take young people off the streets.
“We want you to count yourselves fortunate. Not everyone has access to this kind of opportunity. When we were younger, many of us did not have this platform,” she said.
She praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the programme, noting that the initiative aligned with the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and skills development.
She, however, advised participants not to rely solely on job-seeking after graduation but to utilise their skills to establish businesses and create employment opportunities for others.
A beneficiary of the initiative, Patience Anaja, called for the expansion and continuity of the initiative, citing its significant impact on her life and career prospects.
Driven by a long-standing passion for cooking and baking, Anaja explained that the programme provided her with the platform to turn her interest into a practical skill.
“I’ve always loved being in the kitchen. When I saw this opportunity, I knew it was a chance to do what I truly enjoy,” she noted.
She described the training as a valuable addition to her education, equipping her with hands-on experience and entrepreneurial skills.
