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ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Nigeria Union of Teachers has praised President Bola Tinubu’s groundbreaking efforts in the realm of technical and vocational education.
The National President of NUT, Audu Amba, expressed his appreciation during an interview on Sunday in Abuja.
Amba was responding to the recent introduction of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
According to the NUT president, TVET will enhance opportunities for self-reliance and entrepreneurship, while also boosting productivity, economic growth, and personal development.
He emphasized the need for employers to prioritize skills and knowledge over mere paper qualifications when considering prospective employees.
He remarked, “It is crucial that we begin to move away from evaluating candidates solely based on paper qualifications. We need to assess their capabilities, focusing on creativity, entrepreneurship, and self-sufficiency. Individuals should be trained to be self-sufficient and to build their own futures.”
Amba asserted that education should not be solely about getting a government job, but rather acquiring additional technical and vocational skills for better prospects.
He urged parents to instill a culture of creativity and skill development in their children.
He pointed out, “How many jobs can the government create? With so many master’s degree holders unemployed, having a first degree is akin to holding a secondary school certificate today.”
The Tinubu administration has launched a flagship TVET program aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Through collaborations with certified training centers nationwide, the initiative provides tuition-free education, monthly allowances, and startup support for selected in-demand trades.
The objectives are to bridge Nigeria’s skills gap, empower the youth towards self-reliance, generate a skilled workforce for various industries, and foster national growth through vocational excellence.
While launching the program in Abuja, Alausa announced that students in technical colleges, both Federal and State, would benefit from free education.
He elaborated that this initiative includes free tuition, housing, meals, and a monthly stipend of N22,500 for college students.
The minister stated that this initiative is intended to draw more young individuals to TVET and incentivize them to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire valuable skills that would make them beneficial to society.
