As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of an evolving global economy and rising youth unemployment, there is growing consensus that reforming the education system to prioritize practical skills acquisition is essential. A proposed model urges secondary schools to dedicate three days to theoretical learning and two to hands-on vocational training, such as tailoring, carpentry, agriculture, and digital literacy.
This approach is not only timely but vital, especially in the wake of Nigeria’s poor performance in the 2023 Coursera Global Skills Report, where the country ranked 100th out of 100 globally and 12th out of 13 in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there are signs of improvement, with Nigeria showing the fourth-highest growth in professional certificate enrolments—a clear indication of rising interest in upskilling.
A Nation of Untapped Talent
Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate stands at 7.5% as of 2025, with over 5.7 million people out of work. Yet, the country is teeming with latent talent, as seen in innovators like Silas Adekunle, a pioneer in robotics, and the Muhammad twins, who discovered alternative methods to produce hydrogen cooking gas. These examples highlight the immense potential that can be unlocked through structured skills acquisition.
Why Skills Matter
Skill acquisition offers multi-dimensional benefits:
- Enhanced employability in a saturated job market.
- Boosted entrepreneurship, enabling youths to create jobs rather than seek them.
- Poverty reduction, as skilled individuals can secure income-generating opportunities.
- National productivity, as more citizens contribute meaningfully to the economy.
- Global competitiveness, especially with transferable skills like digital literacy and problem-solving.
Model Institutions Leading the Way
Institutions like Bells University of Technology in Ota, Ogun State, have integrated practical training into their curriculum. Through partnerships with industry experts and facilities like the Centre for Agricultural Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CATES), students gain hands-on experience in farming, aquaculture, and agro-processing, equipping them to become self-sufficient and job-ready upon graduation.
The Global Benchmark
Countries like Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, and Singapore have excelled in skill development by embedding technical and vocational education in their systems. Their success underscores the need for Nigeria to invest in practical training, modern educational infrastructure, and teacher retraining to drive similar progress.
The Way Forward
To secure a prosperous future, Nigeria must:
- Integrate structured skills acquisition into all levels of education.
- Leverage technology and AI to offer flexible, modern learning opportunities.
- Create partnerships between schools and industries to ensure relevant skill delivery.
- Emphasize ethical conduct and professionalism in all vocational training programmes.
As Malcolm X aptly said, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” For Nigeria, that preparation must now include equipping its youth with the skills to shape and thrive in the world of tomorrow.
