Repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Diversification of Nigerian Economy Nexus for Wealth Creation and Employment Generation

Abstract

Employability of individual does not depend on academic qualifications but rather the level of skills acquired and the ability to apply these skills in productive activities. There is disconnect between the skills demanded in labour market of 21st Century and skills generated in Nigeria education institutions.  The new labour market demands have caused many graduates with various certificates to be unemployed. Unemployment and the demands of labour market in the 21st Century have force many nations of the world to lay much emphasis on Vocational and Technical education (VTE) geared towards helping the youths and adults to be self-dependent, job creators and employer’s of labour. By virtue of Nigeria mono-economy, Nigeria is yet to develop industrially and must focus on wealth creation through diversification of productive base via reposition of technical and vocational education. This paper examined the nature and character of Nigeria Political Economy that is extractive in nature and that also hinders development of productive base and repositioning of technical and vocational education in Nigeria. The paper relied on secondary data sourced from textbooks, journals and periodicals and employed descriptive analysis to establish the trends. The paper recommends among others that Nigeria economy be diversified to lay the foundation of industrialisation and a shift from national cake sharing to development of the productive forces.