Assessment of the Impact of Technical Education on Youth Skill Acquisition and Employment Generation in Nigeria

Youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting a youth (15-24 years) unemployment rate that fluctuated between 6.5 and 8.6 per cent through 2023 and 2024, alongside a Not-in Education-Employment-or-Training (NEET) rate exceeding 14 per cent (NBS, 2024). This paper undertakes a theoretical and analytical assessment of the extent to which technical education contributes to skill acquisition and, by extension, employment generation among Nigerian youths. Anchored on Human Capital Theory (Becker, 1964; Schultz, 1961) and Dewey's (1916) philosophy of vocationalism, the paper reviews conceptual and empirical literature, examines national labour-force trends, and interrogates the structural constraints that limit the translation of technical training into gainful employment. The paper argues that while technical and vocational education and training (TVET) holds significant potential for reducing youth joblessness, its impact in Nigeria is weakened by underfunding, obsolete equipment, weak industry linkages and poor public perception. The paper concludes with policy-oriented recommendations for repositioning technical education as a functional engine of youth employment.