Technical and Vocational Education and Training as a Tool for Creating a Production-Oriented Economy in Nigeria

Abstract

The views of 45 lecturers and 155 students randomly selected from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta were sought after and used in qualitative research to ascertain whether or not TVET could be a tool for the creation of a production-oriented economy in Nigeria. A validated (Cronbach α 0.83) structured questionnaire on a four-point Likert-type rating scale was used as an instrument for harvesting the respondents’ opinions. Data collected were expressed as per cent frequency and subsequently, the favourable and challenging factors were ranked according to the degree of importance using relative importance index, RII. The results indicated that TVET could be a means of transforming the economy to a production-oriented economy because it would equip trainees with technical skills for creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation and technical skills to support industrial development of the country. However, such problems as government policy that encourages disparity and discrimination against the teachers and students in the TVET sector and poor funding of the TVET institutions must be addressed. Improvement of the remuneration and conditions of service for TVET instructors, the cause of incessant industrial action in the sector must be addressed by the Government.