PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN TVET: A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR FUNDING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA'S CHALLENGING ECONOMY

The primary aim of this study was to explore the impact of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) on providing sustainable funding and facilitating skill development in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Nigeria's challenging economy. The study utilized a survey research design, focusing on three States in South-South Nigeria: Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers States. The population for the study comprised TVET administrators, lecturers, and industry stakeholders involved in PPP initiatives within TVET institutions. A total of 3780 individuals formed the population of the study. The sample size of the study was made up of 350 respondents, which involved 200 lecturers, 100 administrators, and 50 industry stakeholders, by using simple random sampling technique, based on sample size determination method proposed by Krejcie and Morgan (1970). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled: "Impact of Public-Private Partnerships on TVET Funding and Skill Development" (IPPP-TFSD). The IPPP-TFSD had a reliability coefficient of 0.89. Data analysis was carried out using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while hypotheses were tested using ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that PPPs have significantly contributed to providing sustainable funding, modernizing curricula, improving infrastructure, and enhancing employability through industry-relevant skills. The study recommends fostering stronger PPP frameworks, updating TVET curricula in line with industry needs, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening industry linkages to improve graduate employability in Nigeria.