IIT Advocates for Technical Education to Combat Youth Unemployment

The Institute for Industrial Technology (IIT) has called for enhanced investment in technical education to address youth unemployment in Nigeria. Mr David Okechukwu, the Director of IIT, made this statement during a press conference celebrating the institute's 25th anniversary in Lagos.

He emphasized that technical training should encompass ethics, competence, safety, and practical experience, beyond merely operating machines. IIT was established to provide both technical and moral training, adopting an Asian educational model while adhering to European standards.

Okechukwu noted that students receive training in various technical fields, including in-company experience, which often leads to employment before graduation. He highlighted the necessity of combining technical education with entrepreneurship skills.

Additionally, he mentioned the role of regulatory bodies like the National Board for Technical Education in supporting quality training. IIT offers need-based scholarships, including the JB Cushmore Scholarship, covering training costs of approximately N4.5 million per student.

Mr Christopher Itua, Head of Industrial Linkage and Marketing, pointed out societal preferences for white-collar jobs as a challenge for technical education enrollment.