Fubara: Nigeria Must Prioritise Technical Skills Over Paper Qualifications
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s education system towards Vocational and Technical Education (VTE), saying the country’s overreliance
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has urged Nigeria to prioritize technical and vocational education over traditional paper qualifications, asserting that the nation's excessive reliance on academic credentials is contributing to unemployment and economic stagnation. Addressing the inauguration of three infrastructure projects at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt, Fubara emphasized the importance of equipping young Nigerians with practical skills to improve employability, entrepreneurship, and productivity.
The governor highlighted that the 6-3-3-4 educational system, established in the 1980s, was intended to prepare secondary school students for the future through vocational and technical education at the tertiary level. He lamented that over the years, the country has shifted away from this vision, with young people prioritizing degrees without acquiring relevant skills.
According to Fubara, the polytechnic system was designed to provide hands-on training for those with technical abilities, allowing them to become self-employed and contribute to society. The inaugural projects include the construction and furnishing of two-story buildings for the School of Engineering and the Entrepreneurship Centre, featuring classrooms, workshops, staff quarters, and administrative facilities.
The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Moses Neebee, praised the legacy projects as significant developments for the institution in recent years.
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