The Registrar of the Institute of Advanced Vocational and Technology Education of Nigeria, Ene Wannaji, has urged the Senate to enact legislation mandating compulsory skill acquisition in secondary schools across the country.
Wannaji made the call while commemorating the World Youth Skills Day, which the Institute rescheduled from 15 July in honour of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
He emphasised the importance of equipping Nigerian youths with artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled skills to meet global demands, noting that the world is rapidly becoming digital.
“The world is going digital, and we will be doing ourselves and the nation and the generations on board disservice if we shield the youths from acquiring AI-enabled skills,” he said.
The Registrar, who also runs the Starlight Education Centre in Madalla, Niger State, urged lawmakers to integrate practical skill acquisition into school curricula alongside academic studies, to promote entrepreneurship and economic development.
He outlined the key benefits of compulsory skills training in schools to include youth empowerment, job creation, self-reliance, and the development of a workforce tailored for the modern economy.
Wannaji also called for collaboration between the National Assembly and his institute to implement this initiative, stressing that a skilled population is critical to national growth.
He further appealed to the media to support the nationwide campaign for skill acquisition.
“Let the press do what they know how to do and ensure that project skill acquisition is not just a lawful duty, but a patriotic duty,” he added.
Also speaking, the Local Organising Committee Chairman, Jibo Idris Talib, backed the call for legislative action and encouraged the government to prioritise youth skill development as a tool for economic transformation.
Other notable attendees at the event included Mrs Titilayo Olayande, Director of Quality Assurance, FCT Education Secretariat; Igweonu Kenechukwu, CEO of SMNK Limited; and Mrs Nwankwo Nkechinyere Angela from the Technology Acquisition Promotion unit of the FCT Department of Science and Technology Information (DSTI), Utako.
The ceremony drew wide support from key stakeholders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Governor of Zamfara State, who both attended and commended the institute’s efforts in advancing youth skills acquisition.
PIAK