Unemployment: Reps push for more technical schools

• Says 55% youths unemployed, underemployed

By Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The House of Representatives has said there is a need to establish more vocational and technical institutions in the country as part of measures to curb youth unemployment.

The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, while speaking at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Federal Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education on Tuesday, July 29, in Abuja, on bills seeking the establishment of three new vocational schools, said more technical institutions will increase access to skills acquisition by young persons.

Abbas, who was represented by Auwal Gwadabe, said available statistics indicate that about 55% of Nigerian youths are either unemployed or underemployed due to a lack of requisite technical skills required by the labour market.

The Speaker added that with the emergence of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and big data, it has become imperative for educational institutions in the country to go beyond theoretical knowledge.

According to him, “In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the important role that science, technical, and vocational education plays in national development. With the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and big data, it is no longer sufficient for our educational institutions to merely impart theoretical knowledge.

“We must, therefore, equip our youth with practical skills that will enable them to thrive in an ever-evolving, technologically driven job market and be up to date with the trend in the tech ecosystem.

“The 10th House, ‘The People’s House’, is a responsive institution that recognises the critical importance of technical education as a key driver in actualising our national economic reform and growth.”