Review of education system to meet industrial manpower needs, says Zulum
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has urged the Federal Government to review the education system to meet the manpower requirements of the industrial sector in the country.
According to him, the review of the education system will address disparities between educational institutions and the needs of industries in the various sectors of the economy.
Zulum made the call over the weekend during a courtesy visit of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, at the Government House, Maiduguri.
“I am very much concerned about the production of many graduates by institutions of higher learning who lack basic skills to drive and sustain innovation and technological advancements in the industrial sector,” he said.
He, therefore, urged Sawyerr to critically assess the manpower requirements of the industrial sector and fully implement solutions that could absorb graduates and help them become self-employed instead of relying on limited job opportunities.
While lamenting on youths’ unemployment and poverty, he said, “We have two major problems in our educational system. One, there is a mismatch between educational institutions and the various industries.
“Two, the educational institutions and industries, however, do not communicate effectively on the mismatch in manpower requirements of industries in the labour market.”
He noted that many of the graduates are not prepared to work in most of the industries that have adapted modern innovations and technologies in their production processes.
While bridging the gaps between educational institutions and the industrial sector, he urged NELFUND to support entrepreneurship, technical education, and vocational training programs.
Zulum continued: “Besides offering loans to students, you are to explore ways to support entrepreneurship education to promote technical and vocational training.
He added that the measures will prevent the reluctance of students toward these critical areas of study.
In commending President Bola Tinubu for establishing NELFUND, he emphasised its potential to significantly reduce illiteracy, particularly in the North East region.
“I pledged to mobilise local government chairmen and traditional rulers to raise awareness about the program,” he said, noting the fund’s importance for the underprivileged students who wish to pursue higher education.
Sawyerr highlighted the fund’s mission to tackle the growing issue of students dropping out due to financial constraints.
He stated that the loan is interest-free, with repayment of 10% of the recipient’s income upon securing employment.
End.
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