Group Controller, Current and Public Affairs, TVC Communications Ltd, Mr. Babajide Kolade-Otitoju has said that technical education, if well harnessed, could be Nigeria’s key to growth especially in the area of human capital development.
To this end, he added that Nigeria needs to look seriously at what is happening to technical education and do the needful by coming up with policies that will improve that sector of education in the country.
Speaking while delivering the public lecture entitled: ‘Technical Education and National Development: The Place of AI, its Credibility, Trust and Transparency’ in honour of Dr. Omobayo Taofeek Raheem, the immediate past Director of the Centre for Information, Communication and Public Relations (CICPR) and former Deputy Rector of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) held at the College on Friday, Kolade-Otitoju represented by Mr. Dotun Oladipo, CEO Premium Eagle Media Limited stated that technical education offers a viable alternative, equipping youths with the hands-on expertise which the economy desperately needed and must be looked into with serious attention by the government.
According to him, practical skills are undervalued in Nigeria and there is the need to begin to shift from paper qualifications to practical competencies.
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He underscored how internships, industry partnerships, and applied learning can close the unemployment gap while igniting innovation in sectors ranging from engineering to digital media.
Kolade-Otitoju while commending the federal government on the recent initiative on technical education with the proposed N45, 000 payment to every student in technical college, however called President Bola Tinubu to sign the bill abolishing the dichotomy between HND and BSc, and urged increased funding for polytechnics nationwide.
Speaking on Artificial Intelligence and its impact on technical education, the guest speaker said “It helps through the developments of science to make work better; but the fear of most people for AI is that there will be job loss.”
He further warned against over reliance on AI, because in Journalism, overtime when AI has been used to do certain things, the result has always been wrong most times.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul said the institution as a premier tertiary institution in Nigeria and the first higher institution to be established in Lagos State, Yaba College of Technology has consistently championed the role of technical and vocational education in nation-building.
“We are fully aware that the future of education, particularly in the technical sphere, is inseparably linked to technology itself most notably, Artificial Intelligence (AI).”
He noted that AI is transforming the landscape of teaching, learning, industry, and governance. “It is enabling smart solutions, automating systems, and reshaping how we train future professionals.
“However, as we embrace its immense possibilities, we must also pay close attention to issues of credibility, trust, and transparency. The question is no longer whether AI has a place in technical education the question is how we manage its integration ethically, inclusively, and responsibly,” he said.
The rector said that beyond policy and pedagogy, the event served to honour Dr. Omobayo Raheem for his years of service to the college and his leadership of CICPR.
“This event is a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence,” as “Dr. Raheem leaves a legacy of principled leadership and unwavering dedication.”
He described him as a mentor, visionary, and bridge-builder whose tenure strengthened the institution’s communication strategy and academic visibility.
The chairman of the lecture and Rector, Federal Polytechnic, IIaro, Ogun State, Dr. Mukail Akinde explained that with the global economy increasingly driven by technology, technical education has become essential for workforce development.
According to him, it contributes to solving the skills gap problem by training people to fill high-demand and technical positions.
“In addition to this, technical education promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. Most of the programmes incorporate practical training, internships, and industry partnerships that ensure students are work-ready upon graduation. This not only enhances employability but also contributes to a country’s productivity and economic growth.”
He added that technical education is a strong national development instrument and government can only create a strong, future-proof workforce by investing in technical education which in turn will help the economy become competitive and decrease inequality.
The honouree, Dr. Omobayo Taofeek commended Centre for Information, Communication and Public Relations (CICPR), for organizing the lecture and appreciated the guests for honouring him. BV.
