The Nigerian House of Representatives, through its Speaker, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, has pledged its commitment to enacting legislation that fosters digital learning and technical education in Nigeria.
Speaking at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Mr. Abbas outlined the focus of four bills aimed at establishing the following institutions: “The National Vocational Centre; Federal Artificial Intelligence Institute, Aliade, Benue State; Federal College of Science and Technology, Askira-Uba, Borno State; and National Institute for Technical and Vocational Education, Wamba, Nasarawa State.”
Mr. Abbas emphasised the continued relevance of polytechnic education to Nigeria’s economy, particularly for the industrial development the nation urgently requires. He stressed that achieving this goal demands strong collaboration between the government and stakeholders.
He noted, “In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the important role that science, technical, and vocational education plays in national development.” He further highlighted the need for educational institutions to move beyond theoretical knowledge, especially with the emergence of technologies such as artificial intelligence.
“Youths must be equipped with practical skills that will enable them to thrive in an ever-evolving, technologically driven job market,” he added.
The Speaker reaffirmed the House’s commitment to ensuring access to quality education, improving infrastructure, and enhancing teacher standards. He described the public hearing as a reflection of the House’s determination to prioritise technical and vocational education as part of ongoing social sector reforms.
“Reforming and modernising science and technical education are critical steps towards promoting skills acquisition and empowering our youths to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth and development of Nigeria,” Mr Abbas stated.
He also linked functional education to the fight against insecurity, stating, “The provision of functional education to our students and youths is a necessity to ensure they are gainfully engaged.”
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Mr. Abbas expressed optimism about the potential impact of the proposed institutions: “We are hoping, therefore, that the eventual establishment of these proposed science and technical institutions will provide access to quality technical education, address the skills gap by equipping our graduates with employable skills, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as support the government’s effort to diversify the economy.”
He described the proposed institutions as a testament to the resolve to bridge the gap between education and employment. “These institutions will serve as beacons of excellence – providing qualitative education that meets international standards while also being tailored to meet local needs,” he remarked.
The Speaker urged participants at the hearing to offer focused, objective, and constructive contributions.
Mr. Fuad Kayode Laguda, Chairman of the Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, emphasised the importance of the bills in advancing Nigeria’s educational development and promoting sustainable human capital for a self-reliant society.
He highlighted the advantages of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in driving economic growth, stressing the need to empower Nigerian youths with technological knowledge to optimise their contributions to industrialisation.
According to Mr Laguda, passing the bills into law would “not only ensure that the workforce is technologically empowered but also tackle unemployment, wealth creation, poverty reduction, insecurity, and youth restiveness.”
“As you may be aware, the main objective of establishing vocational, entrepreneurship, and technical skills acquisition institutions in Nigeria is to train technicians and middle-level personnel who will act as catalysts for rapid industrialisation and the development of our real sector of the economy,” he stated.
He concluded by urging stakeholders to dedicate themselves to purposeful deliberations and provide constructive input to enrich the proposed laws, which aim to address critical economic issues in Nigeria.
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