The Ogun State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, has described vocational skills as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, stressing that promoters of vocational training play a crucial role in national development.
Onasanya made this known during the graduation ceremony of students of the Peter Akinola Foundation Youth Centre for Industrial Training, held in Abeokuta. According to him, vocational training remains a reliable pathway to self-development and wealth creation, especially in a country where white-collar job opportunities are limited.
He emphasised that the civil service is already saturated and cannot continue to absorb the thousands of graduates produced annually by higher institutions. “Vocational training continues to bridge the employment gap and offers youths the opportunity to create jobs, rather than waiting endlessly for jobs that are no longer available,” he said.
Onasanya commended the Peter Akinola Foundation for standardising vocational and technical education, equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills to boost the economy. He assured that the Ogun State Government remains “irrevocably committed to vocational education as a vital tool for empowering individuals, driving innovation, and stimulating sustainable economic growth.”
The HoS described the graduation ceremony as more than a formality, but rather “a recognition of the graduates’ dedication, resilience, and determination to acquire skills that will shape their future and enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.”
Highlighting the efforts of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, Onasanya pointed to the Technical and Vocational Education Training initiative, which enhances youth employability and entrepreneurship. He recalled the 2024 TVET scholarship for 1,000 girls, supported by the World Bank, as a milestone in the state’s drive to empower young people through vocational learning.
While charging the graduates to remain focused and committed to lifelong learning, Onasanya praised the foundation’s founder, Dr Peter Akinola, for his unwavering commitment to developing the training centre, which he said continues to provide much-needed manpower for Nigeria’s industries.
In his remarks, Akinola said the centre was established to nurture talent into excellence and transform young people into professionals and job creators. He explained that the training was designed to address the unemployment gap in Nigeria and bridge the skills deficit in the workforce.
Also delivering a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Oluwatosin Oloko, commended the foundation for teaching youths “how to fish rather than giving them fish.” He stressed that functional education requires vocational training, which directly contributes to economic growth. Arigbabu added that the state government had upgraded eight technical colleges across Ogun to further equip students with practical skills.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr Olayinka Elemide, described vocational training as a breeding ground for skill acquisition and empowerment, adding that it remains essential for national development.
Two graduates, Kehinde Grace and Yahaya Martins, expressed gratitude to the foundation and their sponsors, noting that the training had set them on the path to independence and success.
The event reinforced Ogun State’s position as a strong advocate of vocational and technical education, showcasing its potential to empower youths, reduce unemployment, and stimulate economic growth.
