By Abba -Eku Onyeka, Abuja
The representative of Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State at the Nigeria’s 10th Senate, Senator Sani Musa has recently sponsored a bill for investing seriously in the area of practical and skill acquisition education in the country.
He said the Bill if passed into Law and strictly adhered to and implemented, would go a long way to boost the economy, through job creation and promotion of self reliance.
The Bill titled: The Strengthening Career and Technical Bill, 2024 has passed first reading and supported by among others, the representative of Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State at the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Making explanations about the Bill, Distinguished Senator Musa Sani had this to say: “This Bill is of utmost importance, as it addresses a fundamental challenge facing our nation, and it gives gap between education and our labour market. There is a need for robust job – oriented training for our workforce.
“Why this Bill is necessary, Mr Senate President, Distinguished Colleagues, allow me to begin by painting the picture of challenges we face. Unemployment and underemployment, despite our national abundant talents, many Nigerians remain unemployed or underemployed, because they lack the technical skills required by modern industries. Misalignment of education and industry needs, many of our educational programs are theoretical and don’t equip our students with practical and market relevance – course. No more competition and Nigeria shall continue to fall in the global economy, if we don’t want to invest in building a highly skilled and competitive workforce. Driving technological changes, emerging sectors such as renewable energy, ICT, biotechnology, requires a workforce, trained in cutting edge skills.”
He continued: “This Bill seeks to enhance career and technical education to meet the demands of Nigeria’s industries; equip Nigerians with skills that will lead Nigerians to sustainable employment and entrepreneurship; promote partnership between educational institutions, industries and the government for effective training; serve as a framework for funding and monitoring technical training programs.
“The key highlights of the bill, include:
Development of Training Programs: The Ministry of Education in collaboration with that of Labour, will design training programs, targeting high profile industries, such ICT, renewable energy, manufacturing, healthcare and average business; Accreditation and Certification: All training programs will meet national and international standards to ensure that global competitiveness, funding and incentives, career and technical training funds sourced from budgetary allocations, private sector contributions and international grants. Industries will provide apprenticeship and incentives will receive tax incentives to encourage participation, inclusivity, special provision to ensure access for marginalized groups, including women, classes with disabilities and rural population.”
He added: “Why this Bill deserves support, Distinguished Colleagues, is because, this Bill isn’t just about training, but also about economy transformation. Let us consider the benefits like job creation, by equipping with in – demand skills. We will create a pipeline of job-ready individuals, for individuals from local industries. When you talk about entrepreneurship, with practical skills, Nigerians will be empowered to start their own businesses, contributing to economy diversification. Skill workforce will reduce unemployment rate and alleviate the socio economy associated with joblessness and underemployment will be addressed.
“Despite our nation’s abundant talents, many Nigerians remain unemployed or underemployed, because they lack technical skills required by modern industries. With economic growth, industries will flourish, with access to training workforce, boosting productivity and domestic productions. There will be competitiveness and Nigeria will become home for for innovation on s labour, attracting foreign investment and partnerships.”
in conclusion, the senator stated thus: “Misalignment of education and industry needs m, many of our education programs are theoretical and fail to equip school children with practical, market relevance skills. Emerging sectors such as renewable energies, ICT, and biotechnology require a workforce , trained in certain edged skills.
“In Germany, vocational training has made the country a global leader in technical expertise. In China, investment in technical education has fueled its manufacturing and ICT sectors. In India, steel development mission has transformed millions of lives, by providing market – aligned technical training. Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, we have an opportunity to chart a new course for our nation.
“By passing this Bill, we sent a powerful message that we are committed to empowering with the tools they need to succeed in today’s economy. While I urge each of us to support this transformative initiative, let us work together to bridge the skills that will unlock our nation’s potentials, that every Nigerian has an opportunity to thrive. Mr President, I hereby move that, The Strengthening Career and Technical Bill, 2024 be read a second time and committed to the appropriate committee for further deliberations.”
