Lawmakers emphasize skills over certificates as they push for nationwide vocational training centers to drive self-reliance and national development.
The House of Representatives is currently reviewing a bill aimed at establishing vocational training centers in all 774 local government areas across Nigeria.
The chairman of the Committee on Alternative Education, Ibrahim Al-Mustapha, addressed a public hearing regarding this proposed legislation and seven related bills in Abuja on Thursday. He emphasized the importance of equipping young people with essential skills in today’s rapidly evolving world, influenced by technological advancements.
Al-Mustapha remarked that the establishment of these centers represents not just a policy initiative but a commitment to the future of the country. He stated, “It is common knowledge that vocational training and entrepreneurial skill acquisition are a foundation and catalyst to the growth of nations like Nigeria, as her economy depends on the contributions of this vital sector.
“Nigeria, by any standard, is well endowed with a youthful population readily available to acquire vocational training and entrepreneurial skills and use the same for self-reliance and nation building.
“The fact that our vocational and entrepreneurial skill acquisition sector has not translated into a desirable outcome has remained a concern,” the lawmaker stated.
The lawmaker for the Aba North/South federal constituency in Abia, Alex Ikwechegh, has urged the allocation of funds for the current vocational centres, emphasising that numerous centres are presently lacking adequate funding and are unable to operate at their maximum capacity.
Another lawmaker from Abia, Ginger Onwusibe, endorsed Ikwechegh’s perspective but contended that in certain local government areas, other institutions may take precedence over vocational centres.
“Let us critically look at it and see the workability and fit it into the area that needs it,” Onwusibe said.
On his part, a legislator from Ogun state, Olatunji Akinosi, described the bill as “one of the most important bills this 10th assembly.”
“Before now, Nigerians have attached so much importance to having certificates. The countries we have tried to emulate do not have this kind of system. Your technical worth makes so much importance to them,” Akinosi said.
Olatunji contended that Nigeria’s focus on academic certificates obstructs national advancement, pointing out that developed nations such as China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany prioritise technical skills rather than mere paper qualifications.
The legislator further stated that Nigeria ought to redirect its attention from credentials to practical abilities.
