Dr Ene Wannaji is the Registrar of the Institute of Advanced Vocational and Technology Education of Nigeria (IAVTEN), as well as the Proprietor, Starlight Education Centre, that runs vocational, technical and conventional regular subjects in Madalla, Niger State.
In this brief interview with our man, Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, during the marking of 2025 World Youths Skill Day by his institute in Merit House, Abuja he appeals to the Senate to come up with a legislation that will make skill acquisition compulsory and mandatory in secondary schools in Nigeria. Excerpts.
Why have you decided to reschedule the World Youth Skills Day?
The United Nations has designated July 15 as World Youth Skills Day, but this year’s commemoration was rescheduled due to the burial of late President Muhammadu Buhari. “Unfortunately, in Nigeria, July 15 coincided with the burial of our former president, so we had to shift it and hold today to honor our former president,” Doctor Wannaji explained.
Can you speak on the theme: Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills?
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills.” Doctor Wannaji emphasized the importance of equipping youths with AI-enabled skills to make them relevant in the modern society. “The world is going digital, and we will be doing ourselves and the nation a disservice if we shield the youths from acquiring these skills.”
Can we have your views on legislative support?
I am appealing to the Senate to enact a legislation that will make skill acquisition a compulsory content in secondary schools, both privately and publicly owned ones.
It will also make it that each secondary school must compulsorily have facilities to run it, not just including it. The legislation shall also make a requirement and condition for approving, recognizing and and accrediting a secondary schools.
We want the senators to join forces with our institute and enact a law that will make skills and entrepreneurship a must for all our school systems.”
Can you speak on its benefits?
If enacted, the legislation will ensure that students acquire practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Before you can be licensed to run a school, you must have a physical, practical content of one or two skills, so that our students will be living with certificates and skills.”
Can you throw more lights on the roles of the Senate?
I praise the 10th Senate for their quality legislations and urged them to enact a law supporting skill acquisition. We want the senators to join forces with our institute and enact a law that will make it mandatory for schools to teach practical skills.
What of the impact on the youths and the economy?
The legislation will have a positive impact on youths and the economy by promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship. There will be employment, because self-employment will be the answer. We can’t continue to be looking for white-collar jobs when we can plan and create one for ourselves.”
I want to thank the media for their role in promoting democracy and urge them to support the crusade for skill acquisition. Let the press do what they know how to do and ensure that they project skill acquisition in performance of their lawful duty. Let them make it a patriotic duty.
