In a daring move to tackle Nigeria’s massive 53% youth unemployment rate, Enugu State leads a regional push to cause a revolution in technical and vocational education across the South East and South South zones.
At the Interregional Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Forum that took place in Enugu on Wednesday, Governor Peter Mbah called for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s educational approach, insisting that standard academic pathways have not prepared the youth to enter today’s job market.
“We must acknowledge a fundamental truth: across our regions, traditional academic pathways alone cannot address the employment needs of our growing youth population,” said Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government, who represented Governor Mbah at the event.
The forum, with the theme “From Classroom to Careers: Causing a Revolution in Technical Education for Regional Prosperity,” showed a key teamwork between the State’s Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board (STVSMB) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany’s aid agency.
This partnership has been instrumental in bringing international expertise to Enugu’s vocational education overhaul, establishing the forum as a model for regional cooperation.
“The GIZ collaboration represents a crucial bridge between Nigerian educational institutions and global best practices,” said Dr. Amaka Ngene, Executive Chairman of STVSMB. “Their support has enabled us to reimagine technical education with an emphasis on labor market alignment and practical skills development.”
The initiative aims to create standardised vocational training systems across the two southern regions, with regular knowledge exchange and resource sharing between states.
Central to the forum’s impact was a passionate keynote address by Prof. Obiora Ike, Director of the Catholic Institute of Development, Justice, and Peace (CIDJAP), who has championed vocational education reform for decades.
“Each year, our universities produce thousands of graduates who lack the skills companies need to be productive workers,” Prof. Ike said to the crowd of education experts, government officials, and business leaders.
His talk showed how CIDJAP’s 30-year track record in job training gives a model to develop skills well. Prof. Ike praised Enugu’s can-do attitude under Governor Mbah‘s guidance pointing out that, the state’s commitment to interregional cooperation would foster knowledge-sharing and practical skill acquisition among youths.
“What’s happening in Enugu today lays the groundwork for a job training comeback that could change Nigeria‘s business scene,” Prof. Ike said. “By focusing on hands-on skills that match what companies need, we can open doors to success for our youth.”
Governor Mbah’s administration has committed to an unprecedented investment in technical education, allocating 33% of the state’s 2024 budget to education—significantly higher than the UNESCO-recommended 26%.
This money is going towards building eight Science, Technical, and Vocational (STV) schools in key spots across the state’s three federal constituencies. The flagship project, a modern Government Technical College (GTC) in Enugu, will feature world-class facilities including specialised workshops, digital fabrication labs, and industry-standard equipment.
“In Enugu State, we are not just talking about technical education; we are investing heavily in it,” Mbah’s representative emphasised. “Our goal is to create centres of excellence that will serve as models for the entire country.”
This commitment builds on other educational initiatives, including 260 Smart Green Schools and significant investments in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
The main focus of the forum is to close the big gap between what schools teach and what businesses want from the entry level employees.
“The missing link in our educational system has been the disconnect between what is taught and what employers actually need,” Dr. Ngene explained. “This forum is designed to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation, and shape policy reforms that will align technical and vocational education with real market demands.”
Industry representatives at the event highlighted critical skills gaps in sectors including renewable energy, digital technology, precision agriculture, and advanced manufacturing—areas where vocational training could quickly produce qualified workers.
The forum marks the beginning of a coordinated regional approach to TVET, with delegates from across the South East and South South zones committing to implementation strategies.
“What Governor Mbah has initiated here extends beyond Enugu’s borders,” said Prof. Ike. “This interregional approach recognises that our economic challenges and opportunities transcend state boundaries.”
As Nigeria grapples with persistent unemployment and underemployment, particularly among youth, experts at the forum stressed that while vocational education is vital, comprehensive economic reforms are also necessary.
“Vocational education is not a silver bullet,” cautioned an economic analyst attending the forum. “It must be part of a broader strategy that includes industrial policy reform, infrastructure development, and creating an enabling environment for businesses.”
Nevertheless, the Enugu initiative represents a significant step toward equipping Nigerian youth with the practical skills needed in a competitive global economy. With strong partnerships like GIZ and visionaries like Prof. Ike guiding the process, the transformation of classrooms into gateways for careers offers new hope for a generation seeking opportunities amid challenging economic times.
