The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Thursday said Secondary schools in Nigeria lack competent teachers needed for the effective handling of 37 trade subjects which are currently being offered as compulsory subjects at the level of Senior School Certificate Examination.

The minister said this during the national conference on Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) organized by the Federal Ministry of Education and GIZ Nigeria in Abuja.

Adamu who also lamented the apathy shown towards technical education in Nigeria, said the government would continue to bridge skill gaps and create employment via technical education.

He said, “Presently, most of our schools need ompetent teachers and instructional materials for effective handling of the 37 Trade subjects which are already being offered as compulsory subjects at Senior School Certificate Examinations since 2013.

“Worst still, the entrepreneurship education courses being offered in many Tertiary Institutions could not energize the students’ entrepreneurial spirit and mindset for self-employment.

“Also, some of the challenges we have had to deal with include public apathy towards TVET leading to low enrolment in the technical schools, inability to review curricula within the five years’ time frame, lack of tools and equipment or obsolete equipment in our Colleges, dearth of academic staff with cognate industry experience relevant for the training of students to meet the needs of employers.

“I am aware that Nigeria is still faced with the challenges of skills gaps, especially in the area of technical and vocational fields which need to be addressed adequately. I admit that these challenges did not come overnight, but as a result of long-time neglect and poor management.

“Consequently, the present administration, in tackling these challenges head-long, therefore, has continued to increase the budgetary provision to the Education Sector through National budget, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Petroleum Trust Development, and through intervention from World Bank Fund and  African Development Bank Fund. We cannot rest on our oars until the desired goals are achieved.

The head of Programmes, Skills Development for youths employability at GIZ Nigeria, Hans Bruns stressed the importance of vocational training.

A Lecturer with the Federal University of Technology (FUTA) Akure ,  Dr Gideon Idowu has emerged the winner of the 2021 Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) Research Grant for Africa.

According to the organisers , Idowu won the award after his entry was adjudged the best from a pool of 292 entries from applicants from 27 African Countries.

The grant is under the aegis of the Oppenheimer Generations Research & Conservation .

“After a continent-wide search, with entries from 27 countries across Africa, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Gideon Idowu from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Nigeria, is the 3rd recipient of the annual Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) Research Grant.”

The organisers said while announcing the winner .
Idowu will use the grant for research work focusing on the effects of microplastics and chemical contaminants on the environment.

”Through Dr. Idowu’s research work, policymakers and communities will gain a better understanding of the effects of microplastics and chemical contaminants on people and the environment,” the organisers said.

He was given the award in South Africa on Friday the 5th of November 2021.

“The JWO Research Grant was established to honour the late Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer and continue her extensive contribution to and passion for Africa, the environment, and science.

“The JWO Research Grant seeks to support an emerging researcher from Africa, who leads innovative research focused on the natural environment, including, but not limited to; environmental science, conservation, geology, and archaeology.

The research should address a real-world, African issue of current and future importance.”
The winner must have a strong link with a credible African Institution .

Dr Idowu described the grant as a unique honour and needed support to lead a new study across the Continent.

The Vice Chancellor of FUTA , Professor Joseph Fuwape, has congratulated Dr Idowu.

He described the grant as another validation of the excellence and global relevance of FUTA , its faculty members and students.

He said he was confident that in the extant tradition of FUTA, Dr Idowu would discharge his work creditably well for the benefit of the continent and in consonance with the expectations of
Oppenheimer Generations Research & Conservation