The presidency has said that it will continue to promote and advocate for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Entrepreneurship, especially among the youths.
The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goal, SDG, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, disclosed this at the 20th anniversary of the Millennium Village Vocational Centre, (MVVC) Ologolo, Lagos, where more than 90 students graduated from different departments, including hairdressing and beauty therapy, catering and hotel management, event decoration and bead making, printing technology, general agriculture, building technology, garment construction, and Information Technology, ICT.
“As the number of poor Nigerians continue to rise, and with the increased unemployment rate at 33.3 percent from 27.1 percent in 2018 and a Gini-Coefficient at 43 percent, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and entrepreneurship is a prerequisite for the fulfilment of Human Capital Development for the improved business environment, and develop the technical and vocational capacity requirements of the Nigerian youths for the SDGs.
- 25m Nigerians risk job losses over poultry industry crisis – PAN
- Forum targets 2000 aquaculture job for youths
“Therefore, TVET is recognized as a crucial vehicle for social equity, inclusion, and sustainable development, due to the opportunities it offers for direct and indirect job creation in both the formal and informal sectors,” she said.
She said the Federal government took unprecedented steps to prevent the economy from going into turmoil to restore stability to the economy by assisting individuals, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and businesses that were severely affected by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
A retired Supreme Court Justice and former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, George Oguntade, said less privileged Nigerians have been assisted through the provision of free admissions to study textiles, paint manufacturing, ICT, general agriculture, carpentry, and furniture at the Millennium Village Vocational Centre.
The founder and chairman of the board of directors of the vocational center, His Royal Highness Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye, said that every year they admit and empower students whose backgrounds are not rich enough to provide them with formal education as well as graduates in search of world-class vocational expertise.