Technical and Vocational Education in Nigeria: Problems and Way Forward

Abstract

This paper critically examines the myriad challenges impeding the development of technical and vocational education (TVE) in Nigeria. Drawing on secondary data collected from print and online publications, the study identifies a range of issues including inadequate funding, shortage of teachers, insufficient infrastructure, high student enrollment, limited institutional capacity, inadequate data for planning, brain drain, insecurity, corruption, and weak administration. The findings underscore the multifaceted challenges facing TVE in Nigeria, highlighting the complex interplay of economic, social, and institutional factors. Inadequate funding emerges as a central issue, with budgetary constraints hampering technical and vocational institutions' effective management and operation. The shortage of qualified teachers further compounds the problem, undermining the quality of education and limiting the capacity to deliver relevant skills training. Moreover, the lack of adequate infrastructure poses significant obstacles to the provision of quality TVE, with many institutions lacking essential facilities such as lecture halls, laboratories, and administrative buildings. Coupled with high student enrollment and limited institutional capacity, this shortfall exacerbates overcrowding and diminishes the learning experience for students and educators alike. In addition, the study highlights the pervasive impact of insecurity and corruption on TVE in Nigeria. Security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, pose significant threats to the safety and stability of educational institutions, hindering teaching, learning, and research activities. Similarly, corruption undermines the integrity and effectiveness of TVE, diverting funds meant for program implementation and infrastructure development into private accounts. Based on these findings, the paper proposes a series of recommendations to address the challenges facing TVE in Nigeria. Key recommendations include increasing funding for technical and vocational institutions, recruiting more professional teachers, improving infrastructure provision, enhancing security measures, and expanding institutional capacity through the establishment of new TVE institutions at both federal and state levels. This paper provides valuable insights into the complex challenges confronting TVE in Nigeria and offers practical recommendations to foster its development and improve the quality of education and skills training in the country. By addressing these challenges, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its technical and vocational education sector, driving economic growth, and social development.