The House of Representatives Committee on Alternative Education has held a one-day public hearing on four bills seeking to establish vocational and skills acquisition training centres across different parts of Nigeria.
The session, which took place on Monday in Abuja, brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), to deliberate on legislative frameworks aimed at strengthening technical education and promoting youth empowerment.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by Rep. Paul Nnamchi, said the concept of alternative education was born out of necessity. He described vocational, technical, and entrepreneurship education as vital bridges between academic qualifications and employable skills, essential for national development.
Representatives of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) also expressed strong support for the proposed institutions, stating that the initiative aligns with the Commission’s mandate to promote technical and entrepreneurial education across the region. Representing the Executive Director of SEDC, Mr Ifejika Sunday reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enhancing technical capacity and reducing youth unemployment through strategic partnerships and skill-driven education.
Declaring the hearing open, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu (Wurno/Rabah Federal Constituency, Sokoto State), described the initiative as a bold legislative step toward tackling unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base through practical education.
“Vocational training and entrepreneurial skill acquisition are fundamental drivers of national development,” Aliyu said. “Nigeria’s youthful population remains a valuable asset that must be empowered through skills training and alternative education for self-sufficiency and national progress.”
He commended Speaker Abbas for his foresight in establishing, for the first time, a dedicated Committee on Alternative Education to bridge learning gaps and provide opportunities for millions of Nigerians outside the formal education system.
The four bills under consideration include:
-
A Bill for an Act to Establish the South East Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Umuobum, Imo State (sponsored by Hon. Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere — HB.2263);
-
A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Institute of Technical Education and Skills Acquisition, Mbaise, Imo State (sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Emeka Martins — HB.2342);
-
A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Ilorin West, Kwara State (sponsored by Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya — HB.554); and
-
A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo, Ondo State (sponsored by Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo — HB.2033).
Presenting its memorandum, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) commended the House for advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through legislation, describing it as key to national productivity and innovation.
The NSE recommended harmonising the proposed institutional names for policy coherence, suggesting a unified naming format such as “Federal College of Technical Education and Skills Acquisition (FCTESA), [Location, State].”
It also advised that the heads of the institutions be designated as “Principals” rather than “Rectors” or “Provosts,” and that the schools be placed under the regulatory oversight of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) to ensure consistent quality assurance and accreditation.
The NSE further urged lawmakers to provide for institutional autonomy, merit-based appointments, and clear governance processes to prevent political interference. It also recommended that the Minister of Education be designated as the “Visitor” to the institutions for proper oversight.
Specifically, the NSE pointed out that HB.2263 (Imo State) incorrectly places the proposed institute under the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), which could create accreditation and identity conflicts, given the institution’s technical and entrepreneurial focus.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Aliyu thanked the NSE, government agencies, and civil society groups for their inputs, assuring that all recommendations would be carefully considered before the Committee’s final report is presented to the House.
“Our duty as legislators is to ensure these institutions are founded on strong legal and operational frameworks,” he said. “Together, we can empower our youths with the skills they need to build a more prosperous Nigeria.”
The hearing was attended by representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, NBTE, NABTEB, youth-focused organisations, and other development partners, all expressing support for the establishment of well-regulated technical and vocational training centres across Nigeria.