Page 1 of 9
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 02 Issue 1
January 2016
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 89
Problems and Strategies for Revamping Technical and
Vocational Education in Nigeria
Opatola Mustapha Olayiwola PhD, Akinyosoye Michael Oluwafemi,
Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies Obafemi Awolowo university Ile-Ife,
Osun State, Nigeria
Abstract
Technical and vocational education is
considered as an important measure for the
development of trained labour force
required for the economic growth of a
country. It is also a multifaceted, multi- disciplinary and pragmatic field of study
aimed at equipping youths with requisites
technical and vocational literacy skills
which will create employment for themselves
and also for others. Thus this study
examines problems and strategies for
revamping technical and vocational
education in Nigeria. Secondary sources of
data were utilized for the study. Findings
from literature review showed that there is
plethora of problems militating against
technical and vocational education in
Nigeria. They include wrong perception,
societal stigma, poor funding inadequate,
facilities dearth of qualified technical and
vocational personnel, epileptic power
supply, lack of indigenous technical and
vocational education text books, poor
student motivation, lack of continuity in
technical and vocational education and
training, poor teaching methods employed
by teacher among other. Moreover, the
study also revealed that flexible workable
and adaptable programmes, adequate
funding, required qualified technical and
vocational training professional teachers,
provision of required TVE facilities and
resources, adequate internal and external
supervision public private partnership and
training and retraining or TVE teachers are
strategies for revamping technical and
vocation education in Nigeria. The study
concluded that government and private
organizations should adequately support the
funding of technical and vocational
education in order to reduce the menace of
graduate unemployment in the country.
Keywords: Apprenticeship, Eco-geography,
Self-employment,Technical Education,
Vocational education, Vocational skills
Introduction
Technical and vocational education has been
integral part of national development
strategies in many societies because of the
impact of human resource development,
productivity and economic development. It
is also a veritable instrument for graduate
empowerment and one of the major
parameters for measuring a country’s
economic growth and development
(Kehinde & Adewuyi, 2015).Grubb (1985)
states that technical and vocational
education can be used effectively to reduce
drop-outs and migration from rural areas to
Page 2 of 9
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 02 Issue 1
January 2016
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 90
urban areas. The rapid industrialization of
any nation is tied to acquisition of technical
and vocational education as it prepares the
individual for life-long learning of
developing the necessary mental tools,
technical and vocational skills and attitudes
(Ezeoni & Urama, 2014). Despite its
contributions, the leaders of Nigeria have
not given this aspect of education the
attention it deserves, which explains the
prevalence of poverty, unemployment,
prostitution, drug abuse, hunger, violence,
insurgency, armed robbery and the forms of
social vices in Nigeria to day. It is on this
note that this study examines the problems
and strategies for revamping technical and
vocational education in Nigeria.
Objectives of the study
The objectives of the study are:
i. To identify the objectives of
technical and vocation education
in Nigeria.
ii. To highlight the role of technical
and vocation education in
Nigeria.
iii. To examine the challenges and
strategies for revamping
technical and vocational
education in Nigeria.
Literature Review
Concept of Technical and Vocational
Education
Technical and vocational education is
variously defined by different scholars,
researchers and organizations. For instance,
UNESCO (1978) defines technical and
vocational education as a comprehensive
term referring to the educational process
when it involves in addition to general
education, the study of technologies and
related sciences and the acquisition of
practical skills and knowledge relating to
occupations in various sectors of economic
and social life. It is also defined by
Immaculate (2005) as leaving experience
meant to be impacted to an individual
systematically in order to get him/her
adequately equipped for a good employment
in a recognized occupation. Olaitan (1985)
conceptualizes technical and vocational
education as a highly useful education as its
occupation content is such that the trainee
acquires skills. Interest, knowledge for both
himself and the society. Okoh (2000) views
technical and vocational education as part of
the total experience of the individual
whereby he/she learns successfully how to
carry on a gainful occupation which
involves the development of skills
knowledge and attitudes required for success
in the occupation. Abdulrahaman (2013)
regard technical and vocational education as
planned programme of courses and learning
experience that begins with exploration of
career options, supports basic academic and
life skills and enables achievement of high
academic standards, leadership qualities,
preparation for industry define work and
advanced and continuing education. Adele
and Olukayode (2007) describe technical
and vocational education as a programme
with various branches that can transform
Nigeria into a producer / manufactures
Page 3 of 9
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 02 Issue 1
January 2016
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 91
nation from its present status of a consumer
/importer nation. Lawal (2010) also
describes technical and vocational education
as that types of education that prepare
people who could apply relevant practical
skills to make positive changes within their
society and afford a self-dependent life. This
form of education has been attested
severally as an education that provides self- employment, enhance productivity and self- reliance. It also gives individual the skills to
live learn and work as productive citizen in a
global society.
Objectives of Technical and Vocational
Education
According to Adebayo (1988), the
objectives technical and vocational are:
To provide the technical knowledge
and vocational skills necessary for economic
development.
To provide trained manpower in
applied science, technology and commerce.
To give training and impart
necessary skills leading to the production of
craftsmen, technicians and their skilled
personnel who will be enterprising and self- reliant.
The National Policy on Education (2004)
enumerates the objectives of technical and
vocational education in Nigeria as follows:
i. To provide trained power in applied
science, technology commerce particularly
at sub-professional grades;
ii. To provide the technical knowledge
and vocational skills necessary for
agricultural, industrial, commerce and
economic development;
iii. To provide the people who can apply
specific knowledge to the improvement and
solution of environmental problems for the
use and convenience of man;
iv. To provide an introduction of
professional studies in engineering and other
technologies;
v. To give training and impact the skill
leading to the production of craftsmen,
technicians and the skilled personnel who
will be enterprising and self-reliant and
vi. To enable a young men and women
to have an intelligent understanding of the
increasing complexity of technology.
Role of Technical and Vocational
Education in Nigeria
Abdulrahaman (ibid) highlights the vital role
of technical and vocational education in
Nigeria. They include:
i. Technical and vocational education
helps to reduce the rate of drop-outs or
unemployment in the society. Technical and
vocational education could be used to
developed marketable skills in students
/youths so that they can become easily
employable.
ii. Technical and vocational education
helps a nation develop technologically and
industrially by producing people competent
and capable of developing and utilizing
technologies for industrial and economic
development. It is a tool that can be used to
develop and sustain the manpower needs of
any nation.
