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ABUJA – Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
He said this while inaugurating the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), in Abuja, which he also described as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrialisation, economic competitiveness and youth empowerment
Alausa described the occasion as another significant milestone in the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education and human capital development at the heart of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He said the administration is deliberately shifting the nation’s education system from an over-dependence on paper qualifications to producing competent, innovative and highly skilled graduates equipped to drive industrialisation, entrepreneurship and national productivity.
Congratulating the Chairman and members of the Board on their appointments, the Minister described their selection as a recognition of their professionalism, integrity and commitment to national service.
He expressed confidence that the calibre of individuals appointed would provide the strategic leadership required to strengthen NBTE’s mandate, deepen reforms across the technical education sector and accelerate the Federal Government’s vision of building a globally competitive workforce capable of supporting industrial growth, innovation and sustainable economic development.
Responding on behalf of the Governing Board, its Chairman, Professor Babatunde L. Salako, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Education for the confidence reposed in the Board.
He described the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter for technical education in Nigeria and commended Dr. Alausa for assembling a team of accomplished professionals with the expertise and commitment required to reposition the sector.
He pledged the Board’s unwavering support for the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister’s reform initiatives, assuring that members would work diligently to expand opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire relevant technical skills, promote innovation and nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs and job creators.
Professor Salako further identified changing the long-held perception of technical education as a second-choice option as one of the Board’s foremost responsibilities.
He stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment to encourage parents, students and the wider society to embrace TVET as a respected pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and national development, assuring the Minister that the Board would justify the confidence reposed in it through dedicated service, effective governance and measurable results.
