The Federal Government has declared that Nigerian tertiary institutions must shift their focus towards producing employable graduates equipped with practical, market-relevant skills.
This mandate was emphasized by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, during an interactive session with the Provosts of Federal Colleges of Education and Rectors of Federal Polytechnics held on Monday in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa urged institutions to align academic programs with local economic, social, and environmental needs to address unemployment and climate change challenges while fostering industrialization and sustainable development in Nigeria.
“The era of producing unemployable graduates by tertiary institutions is over,” the Minister stated. He called on institutions to embrace the Federal Government’s agenda to deliver high-quality education and practical training nationwide.
Dr. Alausa announced plans to establish a National Commission for Technical Education, aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The new education curriculum, designed to prioritize practical training over theoretical learning with an 80/20 ratio, is at the heart of this reform.
“This new curriculum is designed to equip students with the hands-on skills required to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce. By aligning academic programs with industry demands, TVET prepares students for careers in high-impact sectors such as ICT, carpentry, electrical installations, and advanced manufacturing,” he explained.
To achieve this, the Ministry is collaborating with private sector players such as the Bank of Industry (BOI) and NELFUND, providing resources, funding, and internship opportunities to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and employability.
The Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing education quality assurance by focusing on teacher development. “Federal Colleges of Education must implement rigorous pre-service training and continuous professional development programs to prepare teachers to excel in an evolving educational landscape,” he said.
He also urged polytechnics to prioritize training technical instructors with modern pedagogical skills aligned with global standards, emphasizing that these efforts are critical to producing graduates who will drive national progress.
Dr. Alausa underscored the need for agricultural education and food security concepts to be integrated into technical and vocational training programs. “For institutions with schools of Agriculture, you should establish farms and agritech centers where students can learn modern farming techniques, food processing, and storage innovations,” he advised.
