Assessing the Role of TVET in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Kano State

This study assessed the contribution of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to the achievement of selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Aligning TVET with SDG frameworks has become a national policy imperative in Nigeria, yet evidence on progress at the state level is limited. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining document analysis of Kano State education policy documents with survey data from 200 TVET administrators, 300 students, and 80 employers. An SDG-TVET alignment assessment matrix was constructed for the study. Findings revealed moderate progress on SDG 4 indicators including enrolment and completion rates, limited progress on SDG 8 indicators due to persistent skills-employment mismatches, and weak performance on SDG 10 given ongoing gender and income-based access inequalities. The study recommends that Kano State adopt an SDG-aligned TVET strategic plan, establish an SDG monitoring unit within the state education ministry, and use inclusive policies to address access disparities. International technical cooperation with SDG-focused development agencies should be formalized. These findings provide a practical assessment framework applicable to TVET-SDG alignment analysis in other Nigerian states. Keywords: TVET, Sustainable Development Goals, Kano State, SDG alignment, vocational education policy.