The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Mohammed Bugaje, has called on the Federal Government to explore China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a strategic solution to revitalising Nigeria’s technical education and infrastructure.
Speaking in Kaduna at the opening of a six-day workshop on National Occupational Standards/National Skills Qualification for 25 occupational areas, Bugaje emphasised that China’s development model offers Nigeria a more effective pathway than partnerships with Western nations.
The workshop, organised by NBTE in collaboration with the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project, gathered experts from various technical fields to develop national skill standards.
Bugaje stressed that repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is critical for Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“The Minister of Education’s plan to rebrand all Federal Science and Technical Colleges is commendable. Additionally, government support through NELFUND will cover students’ school fees, National Skills Qualification (NSQ) certification, monthly stipends, and payments for master craftsmen training them in the field,” he said.
However, he maintained that local reforms alone are not enough, calling for a Belt and Road intervention to upgrade Nigeria’s technical education sector.
“Our polytechnics lack strong infrastructure. If we are serious about fast-tracking TVET, we must overhaul technical colleges, modernize facilities, and replace outdated curricula,” Bugaje said.
He argued that China offers Nigeria a more strategic partnership for development than Western countries, which he claimed are reluctant to see Africa progress rapidly.
“Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China has built roads, railways, and other critical infrastructure in many countries. If implemented in Nigeria, this initiative will provide our technical colleges and polytechnics with modern buildings and advanced equipment, positioning them ahead of some universities in Nigeria,” he added.
Earlier, Mr. Isah Suleiman, Managing Director of Talent and Skill Managers Limited, the consultant for the workshop, said experts from 25 technical fields, including mechanical and electrical engineering, agriculture, mechatronics, and fisheries, were present to develop national skill standards.
He noted that the initiative aims to bridge Nigeria’s skills gap and reduce youth unemployment.
E