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 | 225
A Literature Review on Problems and Strategies for
Revamping Technical and Vocational Education in Nigeria
Opatola M. O. PhD, Akinyosoye M. O., Jiboye F. T., Oguntimehin A. A & Ajayi A.
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
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,
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 | 226
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
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-
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 | 227
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.
iii. Technical and vocational
education offers the beneficiary
the ability to be self-reliant, to
