TETFund: Skills shortage in critical sectors evidence we’re not producing industry-ready graduates

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) says the “huge shortage” of skills in critical sectors shows the country is not producing industry-ready graduates. 

Sonny Echono, TETFund executive secretary, spoke at an interactive meeting with rectors and directors of research across polytechnics on National Research Fund (NRF) grants in Abuja on Wednesday.

Echono called on polytechnics in the country to embark on quality research proposals that would translate into commercial and innovative use.

“No research would be of benefit to a country like Nigeria if we are not translating that and applying the products of such research to affect our daily lives,” he said.

“If we are not transferring that knowledge, that creative spark, into the production of goods and services that could create employment for our people, that would improve our standard of living and that would grow our economy and activate all segments of our economy.”

The TETFund executive secretary also enjoined polytechnics to do more in proffering solutions to the developmental challenges facing Nigeria.

“I believe you are aware that there is a compelling need for a shift in focus. We are producing graduates in an economy that is underdeveloped yet they are unable to find employment,” he added.

“We are having a situation where side-by-side there is very high graduate unemployment. It’s a huge shortage of skills in critical sectors of our national economy.

“It means we are not producing graduates that are fit for purpose, that meet the needs of the industry, that are ready to take up responsibility and contribute their quota upon engagement.

“‘The other aspect is that we continue to produce manpower that the current structure of our economy can no longer absorb.”