Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has reaffirmed the House’s commitment to enacting legislation that will advance digital learning and technical education in Nigeria.
At a public hearing organized by the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education on Monday in Abuja, Abbas emphasized the importance of science, technical, and vocational education for national development. The hearing focused on four bills seeking to establish institutions such as the National Vocational Centre, Federal Artificial Intelligence Institute in Benue State, Federal College of Science and Technology in Borno State, and the National Institute for Technical and Vocational Education in Nasarawa State.
Represented by Rep. Auwalu Gwalabe, Abbas highlighted the need for collaboration between the government and stakeholders to ensure the success of these initiatives and stressed the relevance of polytechnic education in driving industrial development and bridging the skills gap in Nigeria.
“With the emergence of new technologies like artificial intelligence, it is crucial for educational institutions to go beyond theoretical knowledge and equip youths with practical skills to excel in the modern job market,” Abbas stated. He expressed optimism that the proposed institutions would enhance access to quality technical education, promote innovation, and support the government’s economic diversification efforts.
“These institutions will provide qualitative education tailored to meet international standards and local needs. They will address unemployment and foster entrepreneurship,” he added. The Speaker also underscored the House’s dedication to improving educational infrastructure, teacher quality, and equitable access to education. He described the public hearing as a reflection of the legislature’s resolve to prioritize technical and vocational education as part of broader reforms under the current administration.
Fuad Laguda, Chairman of the Committee, noted that the bills were designed to harness the benefits of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to drive economic growth and urged stakeholders to provide meaningful contributions to enrich the proposed legislation.
“The establishment of these institutions is vital for training skilled technicians and middle-level personnel to catalyze industrial development, address unemployment, and curb youth restiveness,” Laguda said.
Philips Babatunde