The Progressive Institute (TPI), the research arm of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for the development of a national policy on vocational education and training to address the disparities and duplication of intervention programs in Nigeria.
This call was made in a communiqué released at the conclusion of its three-day National Conference on Skill Acquisition, which highlighted vocational education and training as key solutions to youth unemployment in the country.
The conference was organized as part of efforts to implement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
TPI emphasized the significant gap between the country’s education output and available employment opportunities. It pointed out that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is grossly undervalued in Nigeria compared to university education.
Other concerns raised during the conference included the lack of progressive structural transformation of artisans from an agrarian economy to modern industries, as well as the gaps in skill acquisition and training.
The conference also noted several other issues, including the absence of a national policy on vocational education, which has led to the duplication of interventions without adequate coordination across various sectors and agencies. Additionally, it highlighted the lack of gender inclusivity and barriers to skills acquisition in rural communities.
As part of its recommendations, the conference proposed the establishment of a central coordinating body, such as a national commission or a federal ministry, to oversee these initiatives. This body would help achieve the federal government’s goal of addressing youth unemployment and closing existing skills gaps in the economy.
The institute further suggested the following measures:
The establishment of well-equipped, modern skill acquisition centers in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones, with connections to existing technical and related entities.
The creation of a Nigeria Digital Literacy Management Office in the Presidency via a Presidential Order, to serve as a national coordinating center for digital matters.
The integration of digital literacy at all levels of the country’s educational system and encouragement of collaboration between the government, the private sector, and other stakeholders through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to expand skills acquisition for economic development, as seen in countries like South Korea, Singapore, and South Africa.
Additionally, the conference recommended the implementation of a six-month compulsory national youth skills acquisition program upon completion of tertiary education. It also proposed the establishment of an “End Poverty 2030 Agenda” through rural industrialization.
The conference attracted high-ranking members of the APC, including President Bola Tinubu (represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris), and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio (represented by Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin). Also in attendance were the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and other key officials.
