By Our Correspondent
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will officially open a three-day national conference organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC), from December 17-19, 2024, aimed at addressing Nigeria’s persistent issues of poverty, unemployment, and the growing skills gap.
The event, themed “Vocational Skills Acquisition, Entrepreneurship, and Challenges of Development in Nigeria,” will take place at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The conference, designed by the APC’s think tank, The Progressive Institute (TPI), is set to explore vocational skills acquisition, the challenges faced by Nigerian youth in the job market, and the mismatch between academic qualifications and employment requirements.
APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, emphasized that the initiative would complement the federal government’s efforts to combat youth unemployment and narrow the skills gap.
TPI’s Director General, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, outlined the conference’s focus on advanced vocational skills, such as construction technologies, digital skills, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Adebayo also noted the inclusion of comparative studies on countries like Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia, which successfully built their economies through vocational training.
Key contributions will come from both Nigerian and international experts, with organizations from the UK and China offering to fund proposed Zonal Skills Acquisition Centers.
Government bodies, including SMEDAN, the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, and various ministries, are also expected to present papers aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s vocational education system and promoting entrepreneurship.
The event promises to be a pivotal moment in shaping Nigeria’s workforce for the future.
