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Perm Sec. tasks education stakeholders on challenges of bridging skills gap
Perm Sec. tasks education stakeholders on challenges of bridging skills gap
Mr Sonny Echono, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, has urged education stakeholders to come together to address the challenges of graduate employment suitability in the country
The permanent secretary made the remark at a two-day Technical Workshop on Skills Gap Assessment in Tertiary Institutions on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the workshop with the theme: “Bridging the Skills Gap of Tertiary Education Graduates in Nigeria”, was aimed at bringing together education stakeholders to address the challenges of graduate employment suitability in the country.
Echono said the World Economic Forum (WEF) has predicted that by 2030, new jobs would replace traditional jobs, as the country moves toward the Fourth industrial revolution.
He said that the workplace would be transformed and digitalised by 2030; and as such required different skill-set to tackle.
He said that the Federal Government, through the ministry, had taken bold steps over the years to tackle the challenges of the Nigerian education system, to make graduates globally competitive.
According to him, by 2030, the top 10 skills required for future workers, as reported by the (WEF), are complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management and coordinating with others.
“Others are emotional intelligence, judgment and decision-making, service orientation, negotiation and cognitive flexibility.
“As we move toward the fourth industrial revolution, it will, therefore, be insane to keep doing the same thing and expect different results.”
Echono said that in a bid to close the skills gap, the government had earmarked on N1.3 trillion for special intervention in Nigerian public universities for over six years, between 2013 and 2019.
The permanent secretary said that N220 billion, out of this amount, had been released and disbursed to public-owned universities based on their peculiar needs.
“Another far-reaching progress made to close the skills gap and produce a workforce that is skilled, efficient, highly mobile, adaptable and innovative is the institutionalisation of the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) in 2018.
“The framework developed by the NBTE for promoting Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria identified obvious skills gap in the educational system, which has caused graduates not to be competitive in the global market place.”
He said the education system of any country is very strategic and sensitive to be treated like any other sector.
According to him, the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals would be a mirage, if not hinged on solid education system.
Echono called on development partners and the organised labour to end the relative skills gap in the education system, as this was unacceptable for our children, and as well unsustainable for our democracy.
Earlier, the Director, Tertiary Education in the ministry, Mr Joel Ojo, highlighted the importance of partnership, to generate far-reaching resolutions that would be of benefit to our future graduates.
Ojo called on all stakeholders in all sectors of the economy to correct the anomaly of skills gap.
“At the end of this workshop, an instrument will be developed and drawn to actually inquire into the prevailing needs in respect of the present skills gap.
“We would come up with a realistic road-map, to put an end to the challenge in tertiary education sector.
Dr Tunde Adekola from the World Bank said it was time a resolution was made, that would support tertiary education in skills development.
Adekola called on the government at all levels to support post-basic education, noting that this was where the issues of skills gap lied, and must urgently be addressed.
He said that private sectors should also be a strong player in addressing the gaps.
“It is time we know the demand gap assessment and the market assessment, which means we must know the number of people we need, to fill up the market.
“Therefore, institutions should be strengthened to address the gap. They should be able to remedy the situation when they are still in the university.
“They need to train those who are already in the system, to meet the demand of the labour market.’’
Adekola called on Non-Governmental Organisation, Federal, State and Local Governments and other arms of government, to form coalition to address the skills gap in our tertiary institutions.
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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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