THE NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY
ISSN: 0331-4111
Volume 13, No. 1, (2015)
DOI: 10.36108/NJSA/5102/13(0190)
An Evaluation of the Role of Technical Education in Nigeria’s Industrial Development
Aniefiok Sunday Ukomm1 & Emmanuel Obiahu Agha2
1Department of Sociology and Anthropology University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom State
2 Dept. of Political Science/Sociology/Psychology Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
E-mail: annieukommi@gmail.com, emmanueloagha2002@yahoo.com
Abstract
The rapid industrialization of any nation is tied to the acquisition of education, especially technical education. The relationship between technical education and industrial development is not in-doubt. Nigeria seems to be industrially underdeveloped as a result of her technological backwardness. This paper evaluates the role of technical education in Nigeria’s industrial development. The analysis is qualitative in nature but with far reaching implications for achieving industrial development through technical education. The study adopts dependency theory as its theoretical framework because of its relevance in explaining the importance of technical education in Nigeria’s industrial development. The paper has succinctly articulated the history of technical education in Nigeria, importance and benefits of technical education as well as colonial influences. Strategies of Nigeria’s industrial development from independence have been put in perspective as well as the seeming challenges of technical education in Nigeria. It is on the strength of these challenges, that the paper recommends adequate funding, manpower training, steady energy production and supply, political will/good leadership as possible solution to achieving industrial development through the instrumentality of technical education in Nigeria.
Keywords: technical education, industrialization and development