UNIZIK Revolutionising TVET in Nigeria for Global Relevance
UNIZIK Holds Maiden National/Hybrid Conference on TVET, Seeks Global Relevance
The Department of Industrial Technology Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, held its maiden National/Hybrid Conference, with a call for the transformation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to meet global standards and address Nigeria’s workforce development needs.
The conference, themed “Revolutionising TVET in Nigeria for Global Relevance,” brought together academics and professionals to examine strategies for strengthening skills acquisition, improving technical education and promoting economic development.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Angela Ufele-Obiesie, commended the Department of Industrial Technology Education for its contributions to skills development, describing the acquisition of practical and diverse competencies as essential to Nigeria’s present needs.
Prof. Ufele noted that technical and vocational education had an important role to play in preparing individuals for employment, entrepreneurship and the demands of an increasingly technology-driven economy. She emphasised the value of hybrid skills that combine practical expertise with the ability to adapt to emerging technologies and changing workplace requirements.
She expressed the Vice-Chancellor’s satisfaction with the department’s achievements, particularly its commitment to practical training and skills acquisition, and encouraged it to sustain its efforts towards producing graduates equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development and compete in the global workforce.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. J. O. Ogbuagu, highlighted the importance of technical and vocational education in preparing individuals for productive work and responding to changing industry demands. He emphasised the need for collaboration between educational institutions and industry to ensure that training programmes equip learners with relevant practical competencies.
In his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Industrial Technology Education, Assoc. Prof. Peter Izuoba Okoye, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and the university management for their support, while highlighting the department’s practical training initiatives and students’ achievements, including the production of useful appliances and the installation of a solar power system at the departmental office.
Assoc. Prof. Okoye further highlighted the department’s commitment to developing students’ entrepreneurial and professional competencies through the Students’ Work Experience Programme (SWEP) and other practical exercises, noting that their achievements reflected the dedication of its lecturers and technologists. He appealed to well-meaning individuals and organisations to support the department through donations of equipment, funding and other resources needed to strengthen practical training and produce globally competitive graduates.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Tessy Chinyere Ogbuanya spoke on “Revolutionizing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria for Global Relevance,” describing TVET as a strategic instrument for developing the skilled workforce required for economic growth, technological advancement, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
She identified inadequate and unstable funding, obsolete or insufficient equipment, weak industry-institution collaboration, outdated curricula, limited instructor development, fragmented skills information and negative perceptions of vocational careers as some of the challenges confronting TVET in Nigeria.
Prof. Ogbuanya emphasised the need for a competency-driven, industry-connected, digitally enabled and inclusive TVET system that responds to changing labour market demands, technological advancements and environmental challenges. She recommended a coordinated national transformation plan, investment in functional workshops and equipment, the integration of digital and green skills into occupational programmes, and the establishment of graduate-tracking and employer-feedback systems.
She further stressed that globally relevant TVET must combine practical mastery with theoretical understanding, promote industry participation while preserving educational objectives, and support lifelong learning.
In his lead paper presentation, Prof. E. Raymond of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) focused on the need to revolutionise assessment, certification and quality assurance to improve the global recognition of Nigerian TVET qualifications.
Speaking on the topic "Revolutionising TVET In Nigeria For Global Relevance: Repositioning Assessment, Certification and Quality Assurance In The Fourth Industrial Revolution Era", He identified gaps in assessment and certification practices, weak industry-institution alignment in curriculum development and competency validation, and shortcomings in quality assurance as major constraints affecting the international recognition of Nigerian TVET credentials.
Prof. Raymond advocated the adoption of digital and smart assessment systems, the integration of artificial intelligence into capacity building for TVET educators and examiners, stronger industry-institution collaboration, and mutual recognition frameworks to facilitate cross-border mobility of qualifications.
He also recommended coordinated policy actions involving NABTEB, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Ministry of Education, alongside stronger institutional partnerships and diversified financing models to support digital infrastructure and improve certification standards.
He concluded that transforming TVET for global relevance required more than curriculum reform and industry engagement, noting that effective assessment, credible certification and quality assurance were equally essential to strengthening employer confidence, labour mobility and the economic value of technical and vocational skills.
The conference also featured an award presentation to individuals recognised for their contributions and support.
The award recipients were Prof Anges Chisa Onyeagba; Ogbuagu Camillus Damian Ogonnaya; Prof Abdullahi Shehu Ma'aji; Ozo Nwanneka Nwankwo; Chief Peter Udeogalanya Aniekwe; Ogbuehi Promise Obinna Ibeh; Dr Dilim Iloanya; and Chief (Dr) Ikenna Kevin Okafor.
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