Sir: While the contentious tax bills sent to the National Assembly by the President attracted public attention, something very significant occurred at the Senate without much media hype. On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the Nigerian Senate unanimously passed for the second reading a bill, seeking to establish the Federal College of Skills Acquisition and Technology, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. The bill was sponsored by Senator Dr. Victor Umeh OFR, representing Anambra Central senatorial district.

The sponsor conceived the bill to create a federal institution, the first of its kind in Nigeria, to offer training and certification for unemployed youths on basic skills and technology, such as bricklaying, electrical installations, plastering, roofing, plumbing, painting, cooling systems, refrigeration, carpentry, steel fabrications, welding, ceiling POPs, iron bending and fittings.

The bill seconded by Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North senatorial district, received overwhelming support from other senators, particularly Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North senatorial district, who spoke eloquently about it.

Why is this bill important? Often, unemployment in Nigeria has been described as a time bomb, waiting to explode. Very many Nigerians believe that the high rate of unemployment amid the growing population explosion, more than any other factor, contributes to the security challenges in different parts of the country, including the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and the menace of unknown gunmen.

Unemployment has also been linked to other social vices, such as youth restiveness, drug addiction, prostitution, different forms of cybercrimes and political thuggery. This insecurity has adversely affected the standard of living in the country.
How then can this time bomb be defused to save the country from the impending catastrophe? In the opinion of experts, when done right, skills development could reduce unemployment and underemployment, and increase labour productivity and competitiveness.

For instance, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its “Decent Work Agenda in Africa 2007-2015” reiterated the importance of skills development in generating employment, increasing productivity and competitiveness. Regrettably, the ILO noted in the same document that Africa was suffering from acute shortages of skilled workers that were holding back the growth and development of the continent.

Against this backdrop, the bill initiated by Senator Umeh is not only commendable but also timely. Supporting the bill, Senator Oshiomhole, a two-time Governor of Edo State and former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said: “This is the kind of institutions that we should be encouraging, not even universities of technology. Mr. President, it will shock you when you interact with first class civil engineering contractors, to know that they are looking for technicians. They advertise on notice boards at their sites for technicians but they cannot find them. They need plumbers but they cannot find them. They cannot find people with those basic skills.

He maintained that with skills such as the ones that would be taught in the institution that Senator Umeh proposed to be located near the cities that need their services, the Senate would be doing Nigerians a lot of good by shifting emphasis from white collar jobs to skills acquisition.

I am of the view that the bill by Senator Umeh could not have come at a better time. To achieve sustainable economic growth and development in Africa and Nigeria in particular, skills development is crucial. Sustainable economic growth demands a constant supply of skilled manpower, which in turn enhances the standard of living, reduces poverty and diversifies the domestic economy, thereby enabling the country to compete effectively in the global economy.

• Dr. Chekwube Nzomiwu is the Director of Media and Publicity, Development Communication Research Association of Nigeria (DECRAN). Reactions are welcome via [email protected]