From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has suggested a deeper adoption of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to drive and advance Nigeria’s digital growth.
UNESCO said there’s a need to strengthen measures to foster the development of a national strategy for digitisation of TVET in Nigeria.
Mr. Albeit Mendy, Head of Abuja Office and UNESCO Representative in Nigeria, made the suggestion on Monday, in Abuja, during the opening ceremony of a two-day validation workshop organised by the organisation.
Policy experts united by a common purpose to advance Nigeria’s TVET and skills development systems, in alignment with global digital transformation imperatives attended the workshop.
Mendy, represented by Mr. Manish Joshi, the Regional Coordinator-BEAR 111, UNESCO, Abuja, said the workshop was designed to foster the development of a national strategy for digitisation of TVET in Nigeria.
He said such strategy could be achieved through pan-African initiative for the digital transformation of TVET and skills development in Africa.
“This workshop is dedicated to the validation of the national strategy for the digital transformation TVET in Nigeria for the period of 2025 to 2027.”
He explained that the pan-African initiative for digital transformation of TVET and skills development systems in Africa seeks to ensure that TVET systems across the continent are suitably and digitally transformed to empower individuals to adapt and contribute meaningfully to evolving digital landscape.
In his remarks, Dr. Olagunju Idowu, Secretary-General, National Commission for UNESCO, Nigeria, praised the organisers of the workshop for driving digital transformation across the country.
Olagunju, represented by Mrs. Eunice Ayara, Assistant-Director, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, said, “as we all know the world is evolving rapidly with digital transformation, TVET institutions need to be better equipped and utilised as vehicles towards reaching a wider audience.
Dr. Adenike Olodo, Director, Technology and Science Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, said the workshop was designed for the stakeholders to collectively make inputs toward skills development in the country.
“At the heart of the Minister of Education’s vision is commitment to ensuring all categories of young people both in school and out of school have access to quality skills acquisition programme.
“This is the time when digital transformation presents unprecedented opportunity to expand TVET accessibility, enhance learning outcome and ensure that no young person is left behind regardless of location.
“This strategy is particularly timely, as it aligns with the ministry’s broader agenda to empower Nigerian youths with 21st century entrepreneurship skills,” Olodo said.
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