The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill requiring students in secondary and tertiary institutions to acquire technical skills before graduating.
The bill, titled “Strengthening Career and Technical Training Bill, 2024,” was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, who represents Niger East Senatorial District. Musa said the legislation aims to prepare students for employment and entrepreneurship by addressing the gap between education and industry demands.
“Many of our educational programs are theoretical and do not equip students with practical, market-relevant skills,” Musa said. “Nigeria risks falling behind in the global economy if we do not invest in building a highly skilled, competitive workforce.”
He added that the bill would focus on training for high-demand sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, biotechnology, manufacturing, healthcare, and agribusiness. It also proposes partnerships between educational institutions, industries, and government agencies to ensure effective training.
The bill also proposes a framework for funding and monitoring technical training programs. Under the plan, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour will collaborate to design training initiatives targeting high-growth sectors like ICT, renewable energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and agribusiness.
Musa’s push for change comes as unemployment rates in Nigeria remain alarmingly high, with many graduates struggling to find work despite the nation’s potential as a hub for emerging industries. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour would be tasked with developing the programs and overseeing their implementation.
The Senate will continue discussions on the bill in the coming weeks.
