In a significant move towards fostering a vibrant and productive economy, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Honourable Benjamin representing the Speaker Rt Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, unveiled the Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education. The event served as a crucial stakeholders’ engagement parley, amplifying discussions on the pivotal role of technical education in Nigeria’s economic growth.
Commending the committee’s commitment to fortify the foundations of the educational system, Deputy Speaker Kalu emphasized that economic progress is intrinsically tied to robust investments in education. He underscored the imperative for periodic programs, such as this committee, to empower institutions, bridge skill gaps, and bolster the nation’s workforce for both public and private sectors.
Highlighting alarming statistics from the International Labour Organization, which estimates 75 million unemployed young people in Nigeria, Deputy Speaker Kalu stressed the urgent need for strategic initiatives. He cautioned against overlooking the crucial link between education and employment, citing a looming global shortage of skilled workers.
With a focus on the importance of technical education and vocational training, the committee aims to address challenges within the sector. Deputy Speaker Kalu acknowledged institutional issues like law, policy, funding, and bureaucracy, urging deliberate government intervention to recalibrate the system for enhanced productivity.
Assuring stakeholders of the National Assembly’s collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, Deputy Speaker Kalu emphasized the impending global legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, offering renewed hope in critical sectors, with education at its core.
In conclusion, Deputy Speaker Kalu called for collective action, stating, “If it must happen, it is up to us all. The whole ecosystem needs to be rejigged, and all practitioners have a role to play.”
The National Assembly anticipates that the committee’s oversight will yield impactful bills and proposals, setting the stage for a transformative phase in technical education and vocational training across the nation.
Babs Adesanya