Vocational education will transform economy – experts

Olatunde Adekola, a representative of the World Bank, has said that the setting up of polytechnic and vocational education was aimed at transforming the national economy.

Adekola, who was guest speaker at an education submit tagged “ the Nigerian Education System – The Role of the SOF Education” held at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, said: “some advance countries of the world like Singapore, South Korea, Finland have discovered the role of technical education in National Development and it had contributed to the development of their economy.

He however urged government to invest in technical education especially the teachers and lecturers in such institutions.

“We need to trust our technical instructors and their ability to deliver. Nigeria should support our institutions with funds so as to improve their teaching skills,” he added.

Sidi Osho the pioneer and immediate vice chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, urged the polytechnic students across the country to embrace skill acquisition rather than dwelling on disparity between the Bachelor degrees and the Higher National Diploma (HND).

Osho, a professor, said both the polytechnic and university students should see education as the bedrock of successful career but embrace a practicable career.

The don said her foundation had created opportunities for many students to adopt self-dependent rather than depending on government for survival.

She said; “We set up this to encourage our polytechnic students to embrace skill acquisition rather than depending on the federal government for survival.

“Our students should leverage on ICT for capacity building and connect to global knowledge and information which will help to develop their skill as the world turns to global village.”

REMI FEYISIPO