Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has drawn attention to the economic value of skilled trades, saying plumbers and electricians in some developed countries can earn more than professionals such as doctors and lawyers.
Alausa made the statement while speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast, where he highlighted what he described as Nigeria’s growing shortage of skilled artisans.
“In America, Europe or anywhere, a plumber earns more than a doctor, an electrician earns more than a lawyer. So what are we talking about here?” the minister said.
According to him, Nigeria’s challenge is not a lack of people but a shortage of people with the practical skills required to meet the demands of the economy.
Nigerians forced to import artisans
The minister recalled instances where Nigerians constructing houses struggled to find local artisans to handle jobs such as tiling and screeding.
He said the shortage had forced some people to look beyond Nigeria for skilled workers.
“We were going to Cotonou, to Togo to bring these people in,” Alausa said.
He further cited the construction of the Dangote Refinery, saying Aliko Dangote faced a similar challenge and had to bring in almost 22,000 artisans from outside Nigeria.
“It was like we’re suffering in the midst of plenty. Suffering, severe, debilitating suffering in the midst of plenty,” he said.
Alausa wants education to produce skilled workers
The minister said his position as Education Minister presents an opportunity to address the mismatch between Nigeria’s education system and the skills required by the labour market.
He argued that young Nigerians should not be encouraged to see conventional professional careers as the only path to success, stressing the importance of technical and vocational skills.
Alausa pointed to Nigeria’s youthful population as a major advantage that could be harnessed through appropriate education and skills development.
“Nigeria is a unique demography: 220 million people, 70% of that population below the ages of 30 years old,” he said.
With such a large young population, the minister believes Nigeria can turn its demographic strength into economic growth by equipping young people with practical skills that are in demand.
His comments have renewed attention on the place of vocational and technical education in Nigeria, particularly amid concerns over unemployment, skills shortages and the increasing demand for competent artisans.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.