Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has highlighted Nigeria’s shortage of skilled artisans, arguing that the country’s education system must better prepare young people for the realities of the labour market.
Speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast, Alausa said the earning potential of skilled workers can sometimes surpass that of professionals traditionally regarded as more prestigious.
“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?”
He recalled a situation where Nigerians building houses could not find enough local artisans for jobs such as tiling and screeding, forcing them to bring workers from neighbouring countries.
“We were going to Cotonou, to Togo to bring these people in.”
Alausa also recalled that Aliko Dangote faced a similar challenge while constructing his refinery, saying the businessman 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.”
The minister said his appointment as Minister of Education gave him an opportunity to address the problem by considering Nigeria’s unique demographics.
“Nigeria is a unique demography: 220 million people, 70% of that population below the ages of 30 years old.”
He said the huge young population presents Nigeria with an opportunity to equip its people with practical skills that are in demand, rather than focusing only on conventional academic qualifications.
