Vocational education answer to Nigeria’s problems – NBTE Boss

Prof. Mohammed Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has observed that industries and other employers of labour are key drivers for development.

Speaking to journalists in Kaduna, Prof. Bugaje explained that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in partnership with German International Development Agency (GIDA), under its Skills for Youth Employment Programme (SYEP), organized the 7th industry stakeholder consultation on skills development which was held on 2nd December, 2021, in Abuja.

He said that over 130 industry players, development partners, sectors skills councils ( SSCs), awarding bodies, training providers, MDAs, organized private sector and the media were among those that attended the consultation.

He further explained, “The objective of the consultation was to create the much needed awareness on 21 century skills training system, Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and the needed for the involvement of industry in development, delivery and quality assurance of the skills eco-system.”

The Executive Secretary of NBTE explained that the board was all out to change the narratives from the certification of polytechnics to the vocational system of education where the country can have much needed man power with the intention to move Nigeria and the people forward.

He stated that only three polytechnics were doing the vocational training system of education, while the rest are giving out certificate of education.

Bugaje stated that Germany as a country, has a system of education with 80% of its schools on vocational education system.