EDITORIAL: FG, Don’t Kill Our Children’s Dreams Again With This Vocational Training Proposal

BY TONY OKAFOR

The Federal Ministry of Education’s recent initiative to convert all Federal Government Technical and Science Colleges into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres marks yet another bold attempt to equip citizens—especially the youth—with practical, industry-relevant skills aimed at tackling unemployment, poverty, and economic stagnation.

On paper, this is a laudable initiative. But experience teaches us caution.

We have seen such programmes launched with fanfare, only to wither into irrelevance.

We cannot afford for this to be just another grand announcement that quietly dies in the dust of neglect.

For decades, Nigeria has flirted with the idea of empowering its youth through skill acquisition schemes. Yet, the landscape is littered with the ruins of abandoned centres—taken over by weeds, rodents, and broken dreams.

Billions have been spent. Banners have been printed. Workshops have been held. And still, there is precious little to show for it.

We say this with urgency: this time must be different. This time must be real. This time, we must not kill our children’s dreams again.

The TVET initiative must not go the ugly Nigerian way.

We call on all concerned authorities—particularly the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and all implementing partners—to treat this programme with the utmost seriousness and urgency.

Let it not be a bureaucratic charade. Let it not become another forgotten file in an air-conditioned office. Let it come alive in every village, town, and city across Nigeria.

At the heart of this programme’s success is a simple, critical factor: personnel.There must be an adequate number of qualified teachers, instructors, and assessors deployed to every centre.

And beyond deployment, these professionals must be motivated, respected, and paid promptly and regularly. You cannot expect a nation to build a skilled, competitive workforce on the backs of unpaid or disillusioned trainers. The welfare of instructors must be a top priority—not an afterthought.

Funding must be transparent, timely, and devoid of political or ethnic manipulation.

We have seen too many programmes hijacked by vested interests who siphon resources for personal or political gain. If this happens again, if corruption is allowed to rear its head once more, we risk not only wasting money—we risk pushing a new generation further into hopelessness, crime, and despair.

There must be rigorous monitoring and evaluation. Substandard centres should not be allowed to operate. Those who excel should be rewarded .

Quality assurance cannot be negotiable. If this programme is to succeed, it must produce a workforce that is globally competitive.

TVET is more than just education. It is survival. It is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s vast human capital.

From tailoring to ICT, carpentry to welding, mechanical works to the creative industries—these are not menial tasks. These are the engines of modern economies. But they must be done right.

Let the Ministry lead with vision. Let instructors teach with dignity. Let stakeholders supervise with integrity. And most importantly, let the Nigerian people believe again.

We cannot fail our children. Not again. Not this time.

It is time to get it right. Let TVET work—for real, for good, and for the future.