Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has attributed Nigeria's unemployment and underemployment challenges to the persistent mismatch between education and labour market needs. Speaking at the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference in Lagos, themed “Harnessing TVET as a Pathway to Employment: Building One System for Employability, Inclusion, and Green Growth in Nigeria,” the governor emphasized that as industries evolve and technology transforms the workplace, stakeholders must ensure the education system produces not only job seekers but also job creators, innovators, and problem-solvers.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu stated, “This is where TVET becomes indispensable. TVET is not a second choice. It is a smart choice. It is a pathway to dignity, productivity, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment. It equips young people with practical skills relevant to industry and provides them with tools to contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Minister Alausa Highlights Demographic Challenge
In his keynote address, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa described the conference as both timely and strategic. He noted that approximately five million young Nigerians enter the labour market annually seeking meaningful employment, yet unemployment and underemployment remain significant challenges due to a mismatch between available skills and market demands. “This demographic reality presents us with two possibilities. It can become a burden or Nigeria’s greatest economic advantage. The choice depends on how effectively we equip our young people with relevant skills,” Alausa said.
He further remarked that the conference marks a defining moment in Nigeria’s history, as the future of work is being reshaped by technological innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation, climate adaptation, and changing global production systems.
International Support for TVET
In goodwill messages, Consul General of Germany Daniel Krull, Consul General of France Laurent Favier, Consul General of Switzerland Conny Camenzind, and Head of Cooperation at the European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS Massimo De Luca underscored the importance of technical and vocational education in national development. They also elaborated on their support for TVET programmes and projects in Nigeria, including the conference.
