Nigeria Must Embrace Vocational And Technical Education To Develop

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Experts in the education sector have contended that only through the incorporation of vocational and technical education into Nigeria’s plans can development targets be attained.

Speaking at the 1st Annual Colloquium on Education organised by Dr, Akin Ogunbiyi’s foundation lecture series with the Theme “Education as an input variable for National Development” in Osogbo , the experts lamented poor level of basic and technical education in Nigeria, positing that the country would remain backward without proper funding of sector.

The education experts expressed worry over the admission of only poor students in technical schools.

Founder, Center for Values in Leadership Professor Pat Utomi said that for the country to develop tremendously vocational and technical Education should be taken seriously by the three tiers of government.

He said Federal, States, and local government in the country should focus on quality primary school education which he regarded as foundation for educational development.

He remarked that Nigeria is not making any progress because of the disfunctioning educational system.

Prof Pat Utomi equally posited that if the nation did not get educational strategies right the country is not going anywhere.

He therefore urged Federal government and stakeholders in the education sector to reviewed technical and vocational education for the development of the country in all ramifications

Pat Utomi equally posited that if the nation did not get educational strategies right the country is not going anywhere.

Also speaking, the former Vice Chancellor ,Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-ife Professor, Michael Faborode posited that academics corruption in the universities system has brought major problem for educational development.

Faborode remarked that the academic corruption has painted the country in a very bad pictures adding that the National University Commission should strive towards reformation of the system for better educational development.

The former Vice Chancellor equally asked universities authorities to always provide leadership in repositoning the system.

He further explained that the National University Commission should set to reform the country’s educational system as to bring back the lost glory.

The former OUA Professor also hinted that over 13.5million Nigerians children are out of school which he said had contributed to the falling standard of education in the country.

He also remarked that the government had failed to address the problem of children out of school which he said would lead to national shame If not attended to urgently.

He also advised on technical and vocational education for the development of the country economy as well as education by following logical system to fight the scorge.

Faborode who is the former Secretary-General, Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, said “Vocation and technical education is in dare need of intervention because if we don’t fix vocational and technical education, problems that we have in our industrialization will continue to persist.

He expressed worry over the state of foundation of education in Nigeria, saying “the state of our education at primary and secondary level is so pathetic. To reform the system, it is a gargantuan task.

The Director-General, Dawn Commission, Mr Seye Oyeleye, observed that Nigeria has laid so much emphasis on certificate. He called on Nigerian leaders to address the discrimination against technical certificate holders.

Other panelists are Mrs Ayopeju Njideaka, Adetutu Sangonuga and Prof Sola Fajana. They posited that Nigeria must change the attitude of sending only the poor students to technical college.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, former Chief of Defense Staff, Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade, (Rtd), commended the Director of the Mutual Benefits, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi for organising the colloquium.

He appealed to the Nigeria University Commission, NUC, to review the process of admitting students into tertiary institutions by ensuring that the best and qualified students are admitted to study education.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also commended Ogunbiyi for embarking on education, health, empowerment and poverty alleviation. He called on philanthropists to emulate the programme so as to relieve the burden of the government.