By Mercy Aikoye, Abuja
The House of Representatives is pushing for the establishment of new vocational and technical institutions to curb youth unemployment in Nigeria. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen emphasized that the country’s educational focus must shift towards practical and technical skills.
About 55% of Nigerian youths are either unemployed or underemployed due to a mismatch between their education and job market needs.
“The future of our youth is being undermined by the lack of adequate opportunities to gain hands-on training and higher qualifications in technical fields,” Abbas said.
Three bills seeking to establish technical and vocational institutions across the country were discussed at a public hearing. The institutions will promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, and empower Nigerian youths to become employable and self-reliant.
Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, called for bold ideas and innovative strategies to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial knowledge.
The Speaker stressed that Nigeria’s development hinges on integrating science, technology, and vocational education into its education system. “With the rise of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Big Data, it is no longer sufficient to focus solely on theoretical knowledge,” he said.
The new institutions will empower a new generation of technicians, innovators, and entrepreneurs who will serve as catalysts for national progress. The House Committee is committed to supporting proposals that foster innovation and promote technical education.
The establishment of these institutions will drive the country’s industrialization and development, producing skilled technicians and mid-level professionals.
“Our committee is fully committed to supporting proposals that foster innovation and promote technical education as a tool for economic empowerment,” Laguda said.
