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Vocational Education And A Distressed Economy
The foundation of economic growth globally is technical/vocational education. Technical education is cardinal to the socio/economic development of any nation. Following this fact, stakeholders have emphasized the need to establish more well equipped technical schools in the country to boost development.
It was in realization of this importance that the federal government established the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in January 1977 in response to the acute shortage of technical manpower which was a major constraint towards the execution of the then 1975 – 1980 Third National Development Plan on Education.
The NBTE is saddled with overseeing the training of, and accreditation of academic programmes in all technical and vocational educational institutions. These institutions are to train middle-level technical manpower, and provide practical training.
Technical education is offered in institutions that are higher education in level, but non-university in status. Polytechnics, monotechnics (single discipline training), technical colleges, colleges of education, agriculture and health technology all provide higher technical education and training.
With the exception of colleges of education, which is overseen by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), the rest of the technical higher institutions are coordinated by the NBTE.
As at October 2012, there were 110 approved tertiary technical institutions and 159 technical colleges under the purview of the NBTE, 74 polytechnics and 27 monotechnic colleges.
Others include, 36 colleges of agriculture, 50 colleges of health technology, 16 other specialised institutions, 71 vocational enterprise institutions (VEIs) and innovative enterprise institutions (IEIs), making a total of 543 institutions.
Analysts say this number is grossly inadequate given the unprecedented level of demand for technical education in the country. These institutions can only accommodate a fraction of the youths seeking admission because of inadequate space.
Records from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) indicated that out of 5.4 million applicants for admission into polytechnics between 2006 and 2012, only 1.2 million of them could gain admission, representing 21.5 percent.
Clearly, the inadequate number of vocational institutions has led to the arbitrary abuse of Carrying Capacity of Nigeria Tertiary Institutions. Carrying Capacity of institutions refers to the maximum number of students an institution can sustain for quality education based on human and material resources.
In other words, Carrying Capacity stipulates that the number of students to be admitted into programmes must be based on available facilities such as adequate lecture rooms, well equipped libraries, staff/student ratio, laboratories and equipment, among others.
But it has been observed that many technical institutions don’t comply with the rules. They indulge in borrowing lecturers and staff as well as facilities from other institutions to conceal their defects. Some stakeholders have frowned at the practice and describe it as improper.
An educationist and former principal, Mr. Ignatius Lawson, says such practice is immoral and fraudulent which ought to take the offenders to prison. According to him, schools should adhere to international best practice or be shut.
“International best practice provides for 30 students per class in technical and vocational and 40 for management-based programmes, but some institutions advocate 70, others even more than 100.
“Best practice also pegs staff/student ratio at 1:15 for technology-based programmes and 1:20 for non-technology based. This policy is aimed at ensuring quality of instruction and schools must not exceed their capacity or compromise minimum standard, “ said Lawson.
Similarly, a Port Harcourt-based lecturer, who chose to be anonymous, blamed the deficit in institutions and learning infrastructure in the country on poor funding and lack of attention to technical education.
She said infrastructure such as access to internet, library, textbooks, equipment, laboratories and classrooms are lacking and therefore result in the deterioration of technical education and learning.
“Technical and vocational education is all about skill acquisition and competence-based. Facilities that will enhance skill acquisition are important to the teaching and learning process in technical and vocational education.
“Unfortunately, these facilities like workshops, laboratories, studies and field facilities are lacking for the various programmes in conformity with the minimum standards prescribed in the curriculum,” she said.
Sharing similar sentiments, a legal practitioner, Mr. Biobele Fyneface, asked the government to expand access to technical and vocational education in line with equity and international best practice.
He added that although at this critical moment, the country required more technically skilled manpower in the economy, students’ enrollment into technically-related programmes cannot be increased arbitrarily without corresponding increase in the resources required to sustain the additional intakes.
A nursery/primary school proprietress, Mrs Elem Ochonma, observed that some important factors must be considered in determining the capacity for an academic programme without compromising quality.
According to her, the factors include the target population of prospective students to be trained, the human and material resources available for training and the technology and methodology to be deployed in carrying out the training.
She posited the need for quality assurance mechanism to ensure quality teaching and said the federal government should initiate steps that would enhance the standards of technical and vocational education in the country.
A civil servant in the Rivers State Ministry of Works, who asked to remain anonymous, said the number of technical schools in the country was inadequate and asked the government to establish more functional ones to boost access to skill acquisition. He said if technical institutions in the country were many, only few persons would like to go to the universities.
“I think we have a situation in this country where we focus too much on the liberal arts and sciences. Everyone goes to the university and then have no job on graduation. We need a skilled technical labour force in every state; almost as many technical colleges as the universities we have.
“You go to restaurants and hotels, and you don’t get good services because people don’t learn it. This is because we don’t have enough vocational institutions where people get proper training. If there were as many technical and vocational institutions as there were universities in the country, not everyone would like to go to the university.
“Therefore, there is need to elevate the standard of technical and vocational education so that the people can tap from the gains that accrue from it. This way we will reduce congestion in the universities and strengthen the service aspect of our industry,” he concluded.
In all, stakeholders believe that enterprise development, acquired through vocational education, is essential for job creation and poverty reduction.
Arnold Alalibo
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.
