Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a key driver of industrialisation, economic competitiveness and youth empowerment.
This commitment was underscored by the recent inauguration of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Inaugurating the Board in Abuja, Dr Alausa described the occasion as another significant milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education and human capital development at the heart of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“The administration is deliberately shifting the nation’s education system from an overdependence on paper qualifications to producing competent, innovative and highly skilled graduates equipped to drive industrialisation, entrepreneurship and national productivity,” he said
The Minister described their selection as a recognition of their professionalism, integrity and commitment to national service.
He expressed confidence that the calibre of individuals appointed would provide the strategic leadership required to strengthen NBTE’s mandate, deepen reforms across the technical education sector and accelerate the Federal Government’s vision of building a globally competitive workforce capable of supporting industrial growth, innovation and sustainable economic development.
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Dr Alausa stressed that Technical and Vocational Education and Training is no longer an alternative pathway to university education but a strategic national priority. He noted that no nation can achieve meaningful industrialisation without a strong base of technicians, technologists, artisans, fabricators, automation specialists, machine operators and other skilled professionals.
According to him, the Federal Government has therefore prioritised the sector through sustained investments and reforms aimed at bridging the long-standing gap between education and industry while equipping learners in technical colleges, polytechnics, colleges of education and universities with practical, lifelong skills for employment, entrepreneurship and global competitiveness.
He also directed the Board to accelerate the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund and other stakeholders to formally recognise and certify the competencies of skilled artisans across the country under the National Skills Qualification Framework.
“The initiative would enhance employability, expand access to finance, create opportunities for government contracts and strengthen labour mobility within the ECOWAS region,” Dr Alausa said.
Responding on behalf of the Governing Board, its Chairman, Professor Babatunde L. Salako, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Education for the confidence reposed in the Board.
He described the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter for technical education in Nigeria and commended Dr Alausa for assembling a team of accomplished professionals with the expertise and commitment required to reposition the sector.
Professor Salako pledged the Board’s unwavering support for the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister’s reform initiatives.
“Members will work diligently to expand opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire relevant technical skills, promote innovation and nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs and job creators,” Professor Salako stated.
Professor Salako further identified changing the long-held perception of technical education as a second-choice option as one of the Board’s foremost responsibilities.
He stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment to encourage parents, students and the wider society to embrace TVET as a respected pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and national development, assuring the Minister that the Board would justify the confidence reposed in it through dedicated service, effective governance and measurable results.
Formally inaugurating the Governing Board on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Alausa wished the Chairman and members a successful tenure marked by wisdom, integrity and purposeful service.
Dr Alausa assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Education will work closely with the newly inaugurated Governing Board to fully implement the far-reaching reforms.
