Dr. Vincent Paul, who serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has urged the federal government to prioritize vocational training in higher educational institutions to address the growing issue of graduate unemployment in Nigeria.
At the inaugural matriculation ceremony of Vineyard Polytechnic located in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Saturday, Paul emphasized the importance of equipping students at tertiary institutions with hands-on skills. This approach aims to empower them to generate employment opportunities and take up roles as job creators instead of solely seeking white-collar positions.
While delivering a lecture titled 'Revitalizing Nigerian Polytechnic Education for Youth Empowerment,' the professor expressed concern that Nigeria was trailing behind nations such as India and China, where young people’s involvement in production and manufacturing has considerably stimulated economic progress.
The upliftment of Nigerian youth continues to be a significant hurdle. Despite constituting the bulk of the population, young individuals face some of the toughest obstacles when it comes to finding economic prospects.
"Polytechnic institutions are essential in filling this void by providing students with technical and vocational expertise. The present syllabus, formulated by the National Board for Technical Education, includes classroom instruction, practical lab and workshop sessions, along with hands-on industry exposure," he stated.
However, Paul emphasized that Nigeria needs to move away from traditional classroom instruction towards an experiential learning model centered on skills development, fostering entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.
"To ensure the prosperity of our young generation, institutions such as Vineyard Polytechnic should prioritize fostering entrepreneurship. This approach will cultivate innovation, enhance problem-solving abilities, and develop strong business instincts amongst the students," he noted.
Paul highlighted that Nasarawa State University has been actively fostering entrepreneurship. The university recently set up the Entrepreneurship Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited with the aim of assisting students in cultivating their business concepts.
He encouraged Vineyard Polytechnic to establish itself as a center for creativity and innovation, making sure that graduates leave with more than just degrees—equipped instead with practical abilities that will help them succeed in a changing economic landscape.
During his speech, the Interim Rector of Vineyard Polytechnic, Solomon Aganda, conveyed gratitude to the guest speaker and announced that the institution was admitting 93 founding students across its different schools.
"The polytechnical institution comprises four faculties: Engineering, Science and Technology, Business Administration and Social Sciences, as well as Health Sciences. We've obtained necessary approvals from the NBTE for all the programs we provide," he stated.
Agenda stressed the importance of transforming educational approaches, asserting that the prevailing situation wherein graduates wander around looking for employment needs to be overturned.
" numerous young individuals possess certifications yet lack job opportunities. It is essential to alter this scenario by providing them with the appropriate skill set, enabling them to generate employment prospects rather than merely seeking jobs," he emphasized.
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