Former Edo State Governor and Senator Adams Oshiomhole has urged young Nigerians to consider technical and vocational careers, citing difficulties faced by construction companies and diplomatic missions in recruiting skilled workers.
Speaking during a Senate debate on the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Tuesday, October 20, Oshiomhole said employers were struggling to find electricians, while ambassadors had reported difficulties recruiting chefs.
A video clip of his remarks began circulating widely on social media on Thursday.
Senator Says University Degrees Should Not Be the Only Goal
Oshiomhole argued that basic education should equip Nigerians with literacy, the ability to understand information and practical skills that can support different career paths.
He said the education system should not be designed around the expectation that every citizen must obtain a university degree.
“There is no country that seeks to make sure that every citizen is a graduate. But every country seeks to ensure that every citizen has sound basic education,” he said.
The senator explained that people with a sound basic education could pursue technical occupations such as bricklaying and electrical work, depending on their interests and available opportunities.
Construction Firms and Embassies Report Recruitment Difficulties
Using examples from Abuja, Oshiomhole said the demand for skilled workers remained unmet despite the number of young Nigerians pursuing formal education.
“Today, as I’m in Abuja, go through some of the construction companies. They will tell you they have vacancy for electricians, there is none. Sir, ambassadors told me they are looking for chefs, they can’t find,” he said.
He argued that technical training could open up employment opportunities and allow workers to earn competitive incomes.
“So, if a man or a woman has that basic education, he can veer into this other technical area, which in the end may even equip them to earn more money than what you earn if you are—and I don’t want to be misunderstood,” he said.
Oshiomhole Clarifies His Position on University Education
The senator stressed that his comments were not intended to discourage Nigerians from attending universities. Instead, he called for greater recognition of vocational and technical qualifications alongside academic degrees.
He cited public administration as an example, noting that some people responsible for administering public affairs did not hold degrees specifically in the discipline.
“Most of us here who are administering the public, but we don’t have degrees in public administration,” he said.
His remarks formed part of the broader debate on the role of basic education and the need to prepare students for different forms of employment.
Senator Calls for Transparency in Education Funding Bill
Beyond the debate over vocational training, Oshiomhole called on lawmakers to examine the proposed legislation carefully to ensure that its provisions were clear and that education funds would be properly used.
He said the bill’s objectives were important but argued that senators needed to review the full draft to identify potential loopholes, particularly those relating to sanctions for the misuse of funds.
“I think the bill is good, the intention is clear, but that is not enough. We need to see the draft of the bill so that we can all see if there are loopholes to be provided for, particularly sanction, so that whoever benefits must not divert the money for the purpose for which the executive intended,” he said.
Senate Advances Senior Secondary Education Amendment Bill
The National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is intended to strengthen the administration and coordination of public senior secondary education in Nigeria.
The Senate passed the bill for second reading and referred it to the Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), directing the committee to submit its report within four weeks.
According to The PUNCH, the bill was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
Proposed Legislation Targets Education Boards and Funding Gaps
The proposed amendment seeks to establish education boards in states and the Federal Capital Territory to coordinate interventions in public senior secondary schools.
It also proposes extending funding support to Federal Unity Colleges and senior secondary schools operated by the Armed Forces.
The proposed measures are intended to address infrastructure deficiencies and shortages of learning materials in the affected institutions.
