Benue Agency leads national push for technical, vocational education reforms
The Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) has taken a leading role in Nigeria’s efforts to reform Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) apprenticeship systems, aimed to bridge the country’s skills gap and promote sustainable economic growth.
Consequently, the BDIC has engaged key players, including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the German Development Agency (GIZ), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to help modernise apprenticeship frameworks to meet digital economy demands.
Gbande-Hembaor Terwase, CEO/Managing Director of BDIC, represented by Owoicho Igoji, his Chief of Staff and Special Adviser,
at the ongoing Multi-Stakeholder National Public Dialogue in Abuja,emphasised the urgent need to integrate digital skills training into traditional apprenticeships to tackle youth unemployment and skill mismatches.
“Nigeria’s future lies in equipping its youth with digital and technical skills that can drive innovation, create jobs, and attract global investment.
“Nigeria’s apprenticeship system faces long-standing challenges such as informal training structures, lack of standardised curricula and insufficient funding, which hinder youth access to quality, industry-relevant training.
“The reform efforts seek to harmonise apprenticeship training with emerging sectors like ICT and renewable energy, positioning TVET as a key driver of socio-economic development.
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“BDIC is playing a pivotal role in this transformation by collaborating with the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to develop specialised training modules and innovation labs.
“These initiatives equip apprentices with the technical skills necessary for emerging industries while advocating for standardised certification and sustainable programme funding.
“This leadership follows BDIC’s recent recognition at the 2025 Bureau of Public Sector Reform (BPSR) and GovTech Awards, where it won Best State ICT Agency and its CEO and my boss, Gbande-Hembaor Terwase, received the Trailblazer Award for visionary digital governance.
“These accolades affirm BDIC’s growing influence in national policy and its success in driving digital infrastructure development”, Igoji said on behalf of Terwase.
Speaking further, Terwase stressed that integrating ICT tools and digital skills into apprenticeships is essential for sustainable job creation and Nigeria’s global competitiveness. BDIC is building a resilient digital backbone to support TVET programme delivery, assessment and certification nationwide.
Meanwhile, the industry experts and development partners, have commended BDIC’s approach as a model for leveraging technology to align workforce development with the realities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
BDIC’s efforts are seen as a strategic pivot towards inclusive economic empowerment that can transform Nigeria’s apprenticeship landscape, improve youths employment outcomes and enhance productivity for national growth.
