51 Polytechnics Get N12.4bn Presidential Intervention Fund – In its bid to create youth employment and ensure sustainable development, the federal government has restated its commitment to the pursuit and promotion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria with the release of N12.4billion to 51 federal and state polytechnics.
It has also approved the supply of equipment and rehabilitation of the nation’s technical colleges at the sum of N6 billion in addition to the N15 billion already expended to rehabilitate the technical laboratories of 51 polytechnics.
The supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the May/June Commonwealth Association of Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA) International Developing Competent Work-Force for Agriculture and Manufacturing Industries In Africa: The Role of TVET.”
The minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Mac-John Nwaobiala, stated that creating employment remains a priority for the government but the first step towards this was ensuring that the youths have the requisite skills to support the industries.
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He said government was aware of the importance of education, especially human capital development, to the long-term development of the country.
He said: “To further support the development of TVET, the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) has been approved by the Federal Executive Council.
“National Occupations Standards are being developed in a number of industrial areas including manufacturing, construction, ICT, hotel and hospitality and agriculture,” he said.
According to him, the conference is coming at a time when government is making efforts aimed at repositioning the country’s economy through human capital development.
“Without the necessary manpower, we shall fall victim of a situation where organisations seek manpower outside of our shores simply because we have not developed our local human resources. This will then continue to leave us with the problem of unemployment and economic stagnation,’’ he said.
Wike said Africa, being the next economic frontier because of its huge reserve of natural resources and potentials, had become an investor’s destination of choice, adding that the development of TVET for skilled manpower to support the production facilities of business organisations was therefore necessary.
The minister said that without the necessary manpower, Africa would continue to fall victim of a situation where organisations seek manpower outside of its shores because it had not developed local human resources.
“This will then continue to leave us with the problem of unemployment and economic stagnation. Creating employment for our youths and ensuring sustainable development must be a priority for all our societies,’’ he added.
Wike urged stakeholders at the forum to ensure that the objectives of the conference such as facilitating sharing of expert knowledge and showcasing skills development strategies were achieved.
