By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th House to enacting laws that will advance technical education and foster digital learning across the country.
Speaker Abbas who stated this during a public hearing organized by the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, emphasized the importance of vocational and technical education in addressing Nigeria’s industrial and economic needs.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the hearing focused on four bills aimed at establishing key institutions which include: the National Vocational Centre; Federal Artificial Intelligence Institute in Aliade, Benue State; Federal College of Science and Technology in Askira-Uba, Borno State; and National Institute for Technical and Vocational Education in Wamba, Nasarawa State.
The Speaker who was represented by Rep. Auwalu Gwalabe, noted that polytechnic education remains crucial for Nigeria’s industrial growth.
He stated, “We must strengthen collaboration between the government and stakeholders to ensure these initiatives succeed”.
He highlighted the growing global recognition of the role of science, technical, and vocational education in national development, stressing that theoretical knowledge alone is no longer sufficient.
The Speaker described the public hearing as a demonstration of the House’s commitment to reforming and modernizing the educational sector.
“With the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, our youth must be equipped with practical skills to thrive in an ever-evolving, technology-driven job market.
“Reforming science and technical education is critical to promoting skills acquisition and empowering our youth to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth and development,” he said.
He also linked functional education to addressing insecurity, arguing that gainfully engaging youths through skills acquisition is essential for national stability.
“The eventual establishment of these proposed institutions will provide access to quality technical education, address the skills gap, promote innovation, and support government efforts to diversify the economy,” Abbas explained.
He therefore assured Nigerians that the proposed institutions would bridge the gap between education and employment while meeting global standards and addressing local needs.
“These initiatives represent a commitment to our nation’s future, where education drives economic growth, social mobility, and national development,” Abbas added.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Fuad Kayode Laguda, reinforced the importance of the bills, describing them as a step toward sustainable human capital development and economic empowerment.
He called for active participation from stakeholders to ensure the proposed laws effectively address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“The passage of these bills will not only empower the workforce technologically but will also address unemployment, poverty reduction, and youth restiveness while promoting industrialization,”* Laguda said.
“We need purposeful deliberations and positive inputs to enrich these bills and ensure their success,” he stated.
The proposed institutions, when established, are expected to transform technical education and equip Nigerian youths with the skills necessary to drive economic development and secure a prosperous future for the country.