Buhari can solve Nigeria’s youth unemployment problem with vocational education

An educationist and Managing Director of Pearson Nigeria, Muhtar Bakare, said this in Lagos in reference to Buhari's recent plan to address unemployment in the country.

Speaking with Punch, Bakare said the Federal Government’s youth empowerment goals will only be actualized if vocational and technical education made available for the youths.

“Nigeria faces many education challenges, to which finding solutions will be essential in securing the country’s long-term social and economic prosperity," Bakare said.

"However, we cannot overcome the youth unemployment problem without comprehensive and sustainable reforms to our vocational education system.

"At the heart of such reforms must be a commitment to bringing vocational education closer to the needs of our communities, as reflected in the demands of the labour market and the specific requirements of employers."

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The educationist noted that some youths are also unemployable because they lack the skills needed by many organisations.

“Despite the country’s high youth unemployment rate, there are positions in many organisations from artisanal to managerial roles that cannot be filled by Nigerians.

"The problem is that these Nigerians simply do not have the necessary skills and qualifications to perform roles."

Several stakeholders in the education sector have called for more focus on skills development and vocational education.

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In July, the Rector of the Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, Prof Yahaya Balarabe, said the only way Nigeria can tackle the high employment rates is by "giving more attention to skills acquisition training in most of our higher institution."