OGUN SETS BENCHMARK IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION AS BORNO MOVES TO ADOPT MODEL
A high-level delegation from Borno State has paid a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Technical and Vocational Education Board (OGSTVEB) to understudy its remarkable achievements.
The delegation, led by members of the Borno State Committee on the Establishment of Technical and Vocational Education Board, was received at OGSTVEB Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, expressed their interest in adopting Ogun State’s successful model to transform technical education in the Northeast region.
In his remarks, Executive Secretary, OGSTVEB, Mr. Olubori Akinleye, described the visit as a positive step towards national development through knowledge sharing and inter-state collaboration.
Akinleye highlighted key initiatives that have propelled Ogun State to the forefront of technical education in Nigeria, to include, the upgrade of curriculum to meet industry standards, retraining of instructors, provision of modern training equipment and strong policy backing from the present administration as well as the World Bank intervention project in conjunction with OGSTEP.
He disclosed that in a bid to promote inclusiveness and expand access to technical skills, the state government had awarded scholarships to 1,000 girls to study engineering-related trades, adding that new and emerging trades were being introduced into the curriculum to meet modern demands.
The Executive Secretary pointed out that the board had also rolled out a six-month skills acquisition programme targeted at learners in the informal sector, with provision of incentives for both learners and instructors, emphasising that admission into the colleges was free, and all students’ data have been fully digitalised to enhance administrative efficiency and monitoring.He noted that the present administration in Ogun State has prioritised infrastructural development in technical colleges, which had in turn attracted industrial partnerships, adding that Instructors were regularly sponsored to industries to understand evolving industrial demands, while teachers have been sent to Germany under the GIZ programme to understudy the German model of technical education. These experiences, he said, have been integrated into the curriculum to ensure graduates were equipped with industry-relevant skills.
Responding, Leader of the delegation, Alhaji Hassan Garba, lauded Ogun State Government’s transformation in technical education, stating that the visit was a fact-finding mission to replicate the state’s success back in Borno.
“We are impressed by the comprehensive reforms Ogun State has implemented. The transformation here is commendable, and we believe Borno can greatly benefit from adopting similar approaches,” he said.
Also, Dean, School of Vocational and Technical Education, Ramat Polytechnic,Dr. Maryam Abdul-Kabir emphasised that the visit was part of the Borno State Government’s broader efforts to empower youths with employable skills, an approach aimed at reducing unemployment and curbing the menace of insurgency through job creation and rehabilitation.
Speaking, Economic Recovery Manager of the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Project (IBSIP), Engr. Umar Ayuba appreciated the warm reception by OGSTVEB, pointing out that the knowledge acquired during the visit, when incorporated into Boron’s education strategy, would not only reduce crime but also position the State as a destination for foreign investment.
The courtesy visit featured interactive sessions, facility tours of technical colleges, and detailed presentations on Ogun State’s technical education.
Reacting, Director, Administration and Supplies, Mrs. Funmilayo Osodi said the engagement was expected to pave way for strategic partnerships and mutual growth in technical education across Nigeria, as states work together to build a skilled, employable, and self-reliant youth population.
