Functional Vocational Education for Youth Empowerment in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is fast becoming a predominantly youthful nation beset with high rate of unemployment. It therefore becomes pertinent to train the youths in Vocational Education especially textile practice, to tackle the unemployment problem which has reached an alarming proportion. Youth empowerment is geared towards equipping youths with skills for self-employment and nation building. The rate of unemployment and underemployment among Nigerian youths and graduates is on increase, paving way to crime and poverty. Though, the Federal government, International organizations and Non-governmental organizations have programmes on youth empowerment to reduce the problem of unemployment in Nigeria, but it seems that the expected results of these programmes could not be seen. This study identifies the factors militating against the functionality of vocational education in Nigeria and recommendations towards reducing the problem of unemployment and increase the economic growth of the nation are made.