Development and innovations in technology and vocational education in Nigeria

Abstract

The development and innovations in technology and vocational education could be a veritable instrument for national economic development in Nigeria. The growing awareness of the need to adapt technology and vocational education to meet the rapid global economic requirement is absolutely essential. Thus, technology and vocational education is a mechanism that could help for improving the quality of workforce by humanizing their mobility, adaptability and productivity. Technology and vocational education indirectly could contribute to the enhancement of firms' competitiveness in the globalized world. This is so because one of the most important features of technology and vocational education is its orientation towards the world of work and the emphasis of its curriculum on the acquisition of employable skills. It is important that government should focus on acquisition of employable skills for the youths so as to divert their attention from these social vices that have bedevil the nation. Thus, it is absolutely essential to examine the development and innovation achievable in technology and vocational education in Nigeria. It is concluded amongst others, that Nigeria government should look inward and recognize the fact that technology and vocational education as the bedrock for meaningful technological growth and national development. It is recommended that the government, stakeholders, policy makers in Nigeria should focus on technology and vocational education, quality assurance and best practices that have worked in advanced countries around the world. Also the government should adequately fund, plan, implement, and manage technology and vocational education programmes in technical institutions in Nigeria. Finally there should be a synergy between the school industry linkages and where students are trained must be a replica of the environment in which the students must subsequently work.