Technical and Vocational Education and Training : the Antidote for Alleviating Poverty and Enhancing Employability of Youths in Nigeria.

Abstract

Despite the rich mineral resources in Nigeria today, unemployment and poverty is increasing at a geometric rate and having devastating effect on less privileged masses. Over 60 percent of Nigerians continue to live in absolute poverty, unable to meet their most basic needs, and surviving on less than a dollar a day which is the World Bank’s international poverty line for chronic poverty. The current poverty situation in Nigeria poses a threat to national, socio-economic and technological development in all ramifications. This has given birth to various brands of crimes in our nation especially among the youths and the unemployed who are the worst hit. This paper through extensive literature review, discussed critically and analytically under the following sub-topics: overview of poverty in Nigeria, poverty profile of Nigeria, government effort towards poverty alleviation, role of Vocational Education in poverty alleviation, and a number of recommendations necessary for effective utilization of Technical and Vocational Education and Training as a necessity for alleviating poverty in Nigeria