The Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) has taken a leading role in Nigeria’s efforts to reform Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) apprenticeship systems, aiming to bridge the country’s skills gap and promote sustainable economic growth.
At the ongoing Multi-Stakeholder National Public Dialogue in Abuja, BDIC engaged key players including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, German Development Agency (GIZ), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to help modernize apprenticeship frameworks to meet digital economy demands.
Represented by his Chief of Staff and Special Adviser, Owoicho Igoji, BDIC’s Managing Director and CEO, Gbande-Hembaor Terwase, emphasized 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,” he stated through his representative.
Nigeria’s apprenticeship system faces long-standing challenges such as informal training structures, lack of standardized curricula, and insufficient funding, which hinder youth access to quality, industry-relevant training.
Reform efforts seek to harmonize apprenticeship training with emerging sectors like ICT and renewable energy, positioning TVET as a key driver of socio-economic development.
BDIC is playing a pivotal role in this transformation by collaborating with the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to develop specialized training modules and innovation labs.
These initiatives equip apprentices with the technical skills necessary for emerging industries while advocating for standardized certification and sustainable program 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, 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.
Gbande-Hembaor Terwase stresses 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 program delivery, assessment, and certification nationwide.
Industry experts and development partners commend 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 toward inclusive economic empowerment that can transform Nigeria’s apprenticeship landscape, improve youth employment outcomes, and enhance productivity for national growth.
