TVET Is A Gateway To Opportunity, National Prosperity, Not A Second Choice — Sanwo-Olu

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Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor has stressed the need for the world to understand that technical and vocational education should not be seen as an alternative framework to success, but as a gateway to opportunity and national prosperity.

The Governor said this on Monday at the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference 2026, with the theme “Harnessing TVET as a Pathway to Employment: Building One System for Employability, Inclusion, and Green Growth in Nigeria,” held at the Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, his Deputy, said that for too long, society has placed unnecessary emphasis on certificates while undervaluing skills.

“For too long, society has placed unnecessary emphasis on certificates while undervaluing skills. Yet history shows that some of the world’s greatest innovations were driven by practical knowledge and technical expertise. We must therefore change the narrative. Technical and vocational education should not be seen as an alternative to success, but as a gateway to opportunity and national prosperity.”

He said that Technical and Vocational Education Training is not just a second choice but a pathway to dignity, productivity, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.

He noted that it equips young people with practical skills that are relevant to industry and provides them with the tools to contribute meaningfully to national development.

“The world is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, renewable energy, and digital transformation are redefining the nature of work. While these changes present challenges, they also present enormous opportunities.

“Our task is not to fear the future, but to prepare for it. This preparation begins with equipping our young people with the technical, digital, and entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to compete confidently on the global stage,” he said.

Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu stated that through the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, the government has served over 10,000 students annually across five Government Technical Colleges, offering industry-relevant training in Engineering, Construction, ICT, and the Creative Trades, adding that over 3,300 students were placed in industry through the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme last year alone.

According to him, “Our 43 fully accredited courses, 12 newly approved programmes, and a pilot Competency-Based Training initiative running across three colleges reflect our commitment not just to access, but to quality. When young people are empowered with skills and opportunities, they become agents of progress and builders of stronger communities. In addressing unemployment, we are also strengthening peace, stability, and social cohesion.”

Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education in his keynote address, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning skills development as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation, stressing that nations that invest aggressively in skills development today will dominate the economies of tomorrow.

According to him, “For me, skills acquisition is not merely an educational challenge but an economic imperative. Under the present administration, education has become a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda. The President recognizes that Nigeria’s greatest asset is not its oil, minerals, or natural resources, but its people, particularly its youthful population.”

Also in his address, the Minister of Economic Planning, who was represented by Director, International Cooperation, Dr. Samson Ebimaro, emphasized the importance of measurable results and sustainable impact in Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms, describing skills development as a critical tool for economic growth and productivity.

He added that TVET remains a key component of Nigeria’s long-term development agenda, featuring prominently in the National Development Plan and Agenda 2050, while calling for stronger partnerships and coordinated action to address skills gaps, reduce unemployment, and create sustainable opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, earlier in his welcome address, reiterated the State Government’s commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a critical driver of economic growth, job creation and sustainable development.

Alli-Balogun noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has continued to prioritize education reforms aimed at equipping young people with not only academic knowledge but also practical and employable skills required in today’s evolving labour market.