IIT Director Advocates for Technical Education to Combat Youth Unemployment

David Okechukwu, the Director of the IIT in Lagos, has called for greater investment in technical and vocational education to address youth unemployment and drive industrial development in Nigeria. Speaking on the state of technical education, he stressed that a skilled and ethically grounded workforce is essential for economic transformation.

Okechukwu highlighted that Nigeria's industrial sector cannot rely on inadequately trained personnel, as this could lead to equipment breakdowns and reduced productivity. He explained that IIT's model integrates technical training with ethical education, multi-skilling, industry exposure, and entrepreneurship.

This approach aims to produce versatile graduates capable of diagnosing and solving diverse technical problems. Students undergo an advanced learning phase with in-company training, closely monitored by the institute.

Okechukwu noted that IIT supports its graduates through its alumni association, helping them secure employment or start their businesses. He emphasized that technical education must be complemented by business training to empower young people to create their enterprises rather than solely seeking salaried jobs.