Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has underscored the urgent need for increased investment in technical and vocational education to combat Nigeria’s escalating unemployment crisis. Speaking at the South East and South South Interregional Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) forum in Enugu, Mbah emphasized that traditional academic routes alone cannot meet the employment demands of the country’s burgeoning youth population. Represented by Secretary to the State Government Chidiebere Onyia, he highlighted Enugu’s commitment to constructing technical schools across its three federal constituencies, aligning education with labor market needs.
The forum, themed “From Classroom to Careers: Revolutionizing Technical Education for Regional Prosperity,”was organized by the Enugu State Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board (STVSMB) with support from Germany’s GIZ. Governor Mbah described the theme as timely, noting that technical education must evolve to equip youths with skills directly relevant to industry demands.
Prof. Obiora Ike, Director of the Catholic Institute of Development, Justice, and Peace (CIDJAP), echoed these concerns, criticizing the persistent gap between academic training and employability. He lamented that thousands of university graduates remain jobless due to a lack of practical skills, urging a reimagined approach to education that prioritizes industry alignment.
STVSMB Executive Secretary Amaka Ngene called for collaborative partnerships among stakeholders to drive economic growth through innovative vocational training programs.
