Reps Move to Curb Youth Unemployment Through Technical Education 

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.

To tackle Nigeria’s growing youth unemployment crisis, the House of Representatives is pushing for the establishment of more vocational and technical institutions across the country. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Auwal Gwadabe at a public hearing, emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to shift from theory-heavy education to a system that equips youths with practical, job-ready skills. 

He stated that about 55% of Nigerian youths are unemployed or underemployed, mostly due to a mismatch between academic qualifications and actual job market needs. 

More Access to Hands-On Training 

Three new bills are currently under review to create more technical and vocational schools nationwide. These institutions aim to: 

    Offer hands-on training in fields like electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, ICT, robotics, AI, and more. 

    Prepare students for self-employment and entrepreneurship. 

    Create a skilled workforce that supports Nigeria’s industrial growth. 

The 10th House is committed to making technical education both accessible and qualitative, particularly for young Nigerians in underserved communities. 

Entrepreneurship and Self-Reliance 

Fuad Laguda, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, noted that the proposed bills are not just about education—they’re about job creation and empowerment. With more technical colleges: 

    Youths can learn skills that make them employable or enable them to start their own businesses. 

    Local economies will benefit from the growth of small enterprises. 

    Nigeria can reduce dependence on foreign technical labor. 

“With the rise of technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Big Data, it is no longer sufficient to focus solely on theoretical knowledge. Our institutions must evolve to prepare youths for global competition.” — Speaker Abbas Tajudeen 

This renewed focus on technical and vocational education is a lifeline for millions of Nigerian youths. To benefit, students, parents, and community leaders should stay informed as these bills progress. Once passed, they will open doors for many to gain life-changing skills, start businesses, and contribute meaningfully to national development.