Ogun State Champions Vocational Training as Catalyst for Youth Empowerment and Economic Growth

The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to vocational and technical education as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, job creation, and sustainable economic development.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of students from the Peter Akinola Foundation Youth Centre for Industrial Training in Abeokuta, the State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, described vocational education as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and a pathway for young people to unlock their potential.

Onasanya stressed that vocational training equips graduates with practical skills to build self-reliance in a saturated job market. “Vocational training bridges the employment gap and offers our youths the chance to become job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.

He praised the Peter Akinola Foundation for standardising skill-based training, noting that such initiatives prepare young Nigerians to drive innovation and strengthen the nation’s workforce. He also highlighted the Dapo Abiodun led administration’s Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programmes, including scholarships for 1,000 girls in 2024, supported by the World Bank, as milestones in advancing youth development.

The Foundation’s founder, Dr. Peter Akinola, explained that the centre was established to transform raw talent into excellence and equip young Nigerians to close the skills gap in the country’s labour market. Similarly, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu represented by Permanent Secretary Oluwatosin Oloko commended the Foundation for teaching youths “how to fish rather than giving them fish.”

Graduates of the programme expressed gratitude, describing the training as a life-changing opportunity that set them on the path to independence and success.

The event showcased Ogun State’s leadership in advocating for functional, skill-based education, reinforcing the transformative power of vocational and technical training in empowering young people and boosting Nigeria’s economy