THE PROGRESSIVE INSTITUTE COMMUNIQUE:
THE 3-DAY NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SKILLS ACQUISITION ORGANISED BY THE PROGRESSIVE INSTITUTE, HELD AT THE BANQUET HALL, PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA,
FROM 17TH TO 19TH DECEMBER, 2024.
Introduction:
The Conference with the theme “Vocational Skills Acquisition, Entrepreneurship and the Challenges of Development in Nigeria”, was organized by The Progressive Institute (TPI) at the instance of the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON. The Conference was planned as part of the effort of implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda. The conference had dual objectives of firstly, addressing the challenges of youth unemployment and secondly, providing recommendations that would improve the employability of Nigerian youths as well as the diversification and improvement of the Nation’s economy.
2. In line with the thematic focus of the conference, Experts and Practitioners from relevant professional backgrounds were assembled to undertake clinical and empirical appraisal of the trajectory of the current challenges and suggest remedial measures
Present at the conference were the following Special and Distinguished Guests of Honour or their representatives:
His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.
H.E. Sen. (Dr.) Godswill O. Akpabio, CON, Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria represented by Sen. Barau I. Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President.
H.E. Rt. Hon Abass Tajudeen, PhD, Speaker, House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria represented by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji.
H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress.
H.E. Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, PhD, National Secretary, APC.
National Women Leader, APC, Dr. Mary Idele Alile.
Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Advisor on Industrialization to the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB)
Deputy National Chairman (South) and other members of the National Working Committee of the APC.
National Youths Leader, APC, Dr. Dayo Israel.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Digital Economy, Ms. Chalya Shagaya and Members of the National Assembly
Dr. Lanre Adebayo, Director General of The Progressive Institute (TPI)
The Conference was declared open by the Representative of His Excellency the President, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris. The address of the Chairman of the APC H. E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was delivered. The Secretary of the All Progressives Congress APC delivered the welcome address while the Director General of the Progressive Institute presented the introductory remarks to the conference. Goodwill messages were delivered by the following:
The President of the Senate was represented by the Deputy President of the Senate,
The Speaker of the House of Representatives was represented by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji,
National Youths Leader of the APC,
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Digital Economy, and
In their addresses, H.E. the President and other Distinguished Guests commended H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, National Chairman of the APC and members of the National Working Committee for their vision in establishing The Progressive Institute (TPI) which is the official Think Tank and intellectual resource center of the Party.
Conference Presentations and Deliberations:
6. The Conference covered eight (8) sub-themes which were deliberated as follows:
i. Building the foundation for a skilled economy.
ii. Rethinking education: Between skills and academics.
iii. Identifying key skills for the future of work.
iv. Industry-specific skills development initiatives.
v. Policy and investment in skills development.
vi. Breaking down barriers to skills access.
vii. Success stories – Case studies of skills leading to prosperity.
viii. Roadmap for Nigeria’s skills-based economy.
OBSERVATIONS:
7. While commending Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the leadership of the APC on the establishment of The Progressive Institute, the conference observed the following, which were derived from the presentations, panel discussions and contributions from the participants:
Mismatch between education output and employment opportunities.
Undervaluing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates in comparison with university graduates.
Lack of progressive structural transformation of artisans from agrarian economy to modern industries.
Gaps in skill acquisition and training.
Absence of a National policy on vocational education which had led to duplication of interventions without adequate coordination across various sectors and agencies.
Lack of gender inclusivity and barrier to skills acquisition in rural communities.
Inadequate attention on global technical and soft skills that focus on Artificial Intelligence, robotics and digital skills that influence modern and future job creation.
Misalignment between existing educational training and contemporary skill sets required by modern global economies.
Lack of synergy between relevant stakeholders in academia, industries and the government institutions leading to underutilized research and weak industrial development in Nigeria.
Continued sub-national government conversion of technical colleges of education and polytechnic to universities in contrast to what is obtainable in emerging economies and super-power nations such as China, Singapore and Bangladesh among others
Underinvestment in modern vocational skill education.
Neglect of real sectors of Nigeria’s economy with potentials of contributing to the GDP, diversification of economy, Improved trade balance, self-reliance and national food security i.e (Agriculture, Mining, Industries and Renewable energy).
Near absence of skilled focused entrepreneurship programme that guaranty job and wealth creation after graduating.
Inadequacy of inclusive stakeholders’ collaboration between national and sub-nation governments as well as low level consultation of market operators in the design, formulation and implementation of public policies, laws and legal framework for skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development in Nigeria.
Epileptic power supplies, insecurity and poor access to market and finance among other hinderances to local production of manufactured goods and services.
Gender gap and women’s underrepresentation in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields and technical vocations, limiting women’s participation in high-growth and technology-driven sectors of the Nigeria’s economy.
Over-reliance on academic certificates for employment thereby creating limited opportunities for vocational skills and massive employment.
Inadequate attention on the potentials of digital technology for employment and economic diversification.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
8. Based on the observations and resolutions made, the conference recommends as follows:
Develop a national policy on vocational education and training that harmonizes and synergizes existing disparate and, sometimes, duplicating interventions.
Establishment of a central coordinating body such as a National Commission or a Federal Ministry to facilitate the realization of the Federal Government’s objective of addressing unemployment among youths as well as existing skills gaps in the economy.
The establishment of well equipped modern skill acquisition centers in each of the country’s six geo-political zones with arterial links to existing technical and related entities.
The Federal Government should establish a Nigeria Digital Literacy Management Office in the Presidency through a Presidential Order which would serve as national coordinating center on digital matters.
Government should integrate digital literacy at all levels of the Country’s educational system.
Collaboration between the Government, Private Sector and other stakeholders through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) initiatives to expand skills acquisition for economic development as obtainable in South Korea, Singapore and South Africa.
Integration of a compulsory National Youths Skills Acquisition Program for 6 months after obtaining a tertiary education.
Promulgation of an ”End poverty 2030 agenda” through rural Industrialization
Reorienting the Society and, indeed, the youths to appreciate the importance of vocational skills training and certifications for employment and economic growth.
Compulsory training on equipment maintenance and fabrication as part of procurement of specialized equipment for skills in all sectors including Health.
Organizing annual National Vocational Skills Competition to bring in excellence and standardization.
The Progressive Institute should champion a wider stakeholders’ consultations in the harmonization of skills acquisition policies and legal framework between national and sub-national governments.
COMMUNIQUE TEAM
Lanre Adebayo Ph. D
Muhammad Sanusi Kiru
Alh. Saleh Musa
Dr. M. O. Nasir
Dr. Anthonia Ekpa
Dr. Kolawole Bello
Emeka Duru
Aidan Christopher
Done in Abuja, this 19th day of Decembe
