Reps move to establish new technical colleges to curb youth unemployment

The House of Representatives is taking legislative steps to establish new vocational and technical institutions across Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to combat youth unemployment and build a skilled workforce.

The initiative gained momentum on Wednesday during a public hearing on three proposed bills focused on skills acquisition and technical education.

Fuad Kayode Laguda, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, said bold reforms are needed to equip Nigerian youths with the practical knowledge and entrepreneurial tools required in today’s evolving labour market.

“These institutions will serve as platforms to develop the technical capacity of our youth,” he said.

“Our committee is fully committed to supporting proposals that foster innovation and promote technical education as a tool for economic empowerment.”

The hearing considered three separate bills for the establishment of: Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Zaki Biam, Benue State (sponsored by Solomon Wombo), National Institute for Technical and Vocational Education, Bogoro, Bauchi State (Jafaru Leko), And Federal Vocational and Skills Acquisition College, Ilaro, Ogun State (Abiodun Akinlade).

Laguda said the proposals are timely and align with national development goals to empower communities, drive industrialisation, and reduce unemployment.

Declaring the session open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said Nigeria must urgently realign its educational system to prioritise vocational and technical training.

Quoting figures, Abbas warned that Nigeria’s youth population is at risk, with about 55 percent either unemployed or underemployed—largely due to the widening gap between university education and industry demands.

“The main objective of these bills is to widen access to quality technical and vocational education,” he said.

“The future of our youth is being undermined by the lack of adequate opportunities to gain hands-on training and higher qualifications in technical fields.”

Represented by Auwal Gwadabe, the Speaker argued that Nigeria’s developmental ambitions hinge on embedding science, technology, and vocational education in its national curriculum.

“With the rise of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Big Data, it is no longer sufficient to focus solely on theoretical knowledge,” he said.

“Our educational institutions must evolve to equip young Nigerians with the practical skills needed to compete globally.”

Abbas reiterated the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to skills-based education, promising that technical education would be a central pillar of its legislative agenda.

“These new institutions, if established, will empower a new generation of technicians, innovators, and entrepreneurs who will serve as catalysts for national progress,” he added.