Reps Champion Technical Education To Combat Insecurity

House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing technical education as a crucial driver for economic development and self-reliance in Nigeria.

The speaker, Rt. Hon.  Tajuddeen Abbas, made the declaration at the opening of a public hearing on a bill aimed at amending the Federal Technical College in Nasarawa Burkullu, Zamfara State.

Represented by Hon Abubakar Hassan, he emphasised that for too long, the nation had placed an excessive emphasis on certificates over skills. This approach has resulted in a situation where graduates are produced without the requisite jobs, and jobs exist without skilled workers to fill them.

He argued that this imbalance is no longer sustainable. The global economy has shifted; it no longer rewards merely having a degree, but rather prioritises skills, competence, and problem-solving abilities. Nations that have made significant progress—such as China, Germany, and South Korea—have done so by deliberately investing in technical and vocational education.

The Speaker further stated that the 10th House of Representatives has prioritised skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment in its legislative agenda. The House aligns itself with the Federal Government’s renewed focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), aimed at repositioning human capital for industrialisation, innovation, and self-reliance.

Abbas Tajuddeen explained that the proposed bill is not merely about establishing another educational institution; it is about closing a critical skills gap that empowers young Nigerians in Zamfara to become electricians, welders, builders, solar technicians, fabricators, and ICT specialists, enabling them to earn a decent living.

He noted that insecurity in Zamfara and the wider North-West region has disrupted farming, education, and economic activities. When young people are deprived of hope and opportunity, they become vulnerable. “When we provide them with skills, we offer them alternatives. We give them a stake in the nation’s stability. Technical education is, therefore, a security strategy, an economic strategy, and a social strategy all in one.”

He urged all stakeholders—including the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), academia, professional bodies, and community leaders—to contribute meaningfully to this Bill. The goal is to create legislation that will establish an institution that is truly relevant, sustainable, and impactful.

“Let us build a Nigeria where a child who chooses technical education is not seen as one who has failed, but as one who has chosen to build, create, invent, and prosper.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the House Committee on Alternative Education, Hon Ibrahim Aliyu Almustapha, emphasised the changing landscape, noting the increasing demand for skilled labour across various sectors. He stressed that establishing a technical college in the state is a timely intervention to address numerous challenges and empower youth with the practical skills necessary to compete in the global economy.

This initiative will enhance economic growth, foster local industries and entrepreneurship, create jobs, and promote inclusivity in education, particularly for those in underserved areas.

Speaking on the Bill, its sponsor, Hon Abubakar Sulaiman Gummi, stated that the establishment of the Federal Technical College in Nasarawa Burkullu, Zamfara State, is based on a straightforward premise: Nigeria cannot achieve industrial development without deliberate investment in technical and vocational education.

Gummi highlighted a compelling case for equity in national policy, noting that the North-West zone has over 50 million residents, yet Zamfara is the only state without a Federal Science and Technical College. He underscored that years of insecurity and displacement have deprived many young people of education and livelihoods.

“We need interventions that extend beyond conventional education. Technical education provides practical, marketable skills that lead to legitimate employment and entrepreneurship, restore economic resilience, and reduce vulnerability to criminal recruitment.”

Engineer Kasimu Abdullahi Burkullu commented that establishing this school would significantly help unemployed youth achieve self-reliance. It would also widen access to technical education in Zamfara and the North-West, correcting the disparity in the distribution of Federal Technical Colleges and equipping youth with employable and entrepreneurial skills.

He urged the committee to expedite passage of the Bill, highlighting the need for sustainable development amid ongoing insurgent attacks in Zamfara State.