The Springforth Foundation has called for the inclusion of vocational and technical skills training in Nigeria’s secondary school curriculum, saying it is key to addressing the country’s rising youth unemployment rate.
Speaking in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the foundation’s founder, Mrs. Blessing Agborume, said combining practical skills with academic learning would better prepare students for the job market.
“Springforth is championing a holistic approach to education that merges academic knowledge with hands-on training,” Agborume stated. “We want schools to teach trades like tailoring, barbing, farming, and fishing, alongside modern digital skills such as coding.”
She noted that such skills would not only boost employability but also create avenues for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
According to Agborume, implementing this vision would require the provision of qualified instructors and training facilities. She urged collaboration between government agencies, private sector players, and other stakeholders to make it a reality.
“With the right partnerships, Nigeria can reshape its education system to meet the needs of students and employers,” she said. “This will ease unemployment, reduce pressure on the labour market, and drive economic resilience.”
Since its establishment in June 2022, the Springforth Foundation has sponsored 27 children across various school levels. It has also trained youths in barbing, generator repair, and fashion design, mentored a gospel singer-songwriter, and supported sports development through sponsorship of Lekki Sport Television to keep young people away from crime, drugs, and other vices.
