By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives has advocated the establishment of new vocational, skills and technical institutions as a strategic measure toward addressing youth unemployment across Nigeria
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, Fuad Laguda stated this yesterday while speaking in a public hearing held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
According to the panel, the ideas of innovative strategies when properly utilised will equip young Nigerians with practical skills and technical expertise needed for entrepreneurial knowledge in modern work place.
It was gathered that the hearing focused on three bills seeking to establish technical and vocational institutions across the country:
Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Zaki Biam, Benue State – Sponsored by Rep. Solomon Wombo.
National Institute for Technical and Vocational Education, Bogoro, Bauchi State – Sponsored by Hon Jafaru Leko.
Federal Vocational and Skills Acquisition College, Ilaro, Ogun State – Sponsored by Hon Abiodun Akinlade.
The lawmaker emphasised that the bills are aim to promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, and empower Nigerian youths to become employable and self-reliant, especially within their local communities.
“These institutions will serve as platforms to develop the technical capacity of our youth,” he said.
“Our committee is fully committed to supporting proposals that foster innovation and promote technical education as a tool for economic empowerment.”
He noted that the House supports the establishment of training institutions that will produce skilled technicians and mid-level professionals to drive the country’s industrialisation and development.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said Nigeria must shift its educational focus toward practical and technical skills if it hopes to address the alarming rate of youth unemployment.
Citing statistics, the speaker said about 55 percent of youths are either unemployed or underemployed, largely due to a mismatch between their education and the needs of the job market.
“The main objective of these bills is to widen access to quality technical and vocational education.
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,” he said.
The speaker was represented by Hon. Auwal Gwadabe at the event even as he stressed that Nigeria’s development hinges on the integration of science, technology, and vocational education in its education system.
