The Tertiary Education Trust Fund is ready to launch a “learn to work” program in Nigerian universities and colleges. This initiative aims to collaborate with industry partners to provide outsourcing job opportunities for students while they pursue their education.
Through this scheme, students could secure employment with global companies immediately upon graduation from tertiary institutions. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, shared this plan during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students in Abuja.
He referred to the program as a significant endeavor set to impact campuses across the nation. Echono emphasized the focus on training students in ICT and technology, connecting them with global corporations for outsourcing work opportunities during their academic journey.
Echono highlighted that similar programs were benefiting students in countries like Vietnam, India, Cambodia, and China. He mentioned that 24 million Indian students were already earning income through such initiatives while in school.
He also discussed the government’s recent launch of a student loan scheme to support students facing financial challenges and ensure they complete their education. Once the “learn to work” scheme is launched, partners will assess students through aptitude tests before offering them training opportunities aligned with various industries’ needs.
The initiative aims to cover a wide range of disciplines with a curriculum designed to match industry requirements. This move intends to address the global challenge of talent acquisition faced by many companies today.
The program will extend to all tertiary institutions nationwide, emphasizing its inclusivity beyond major cities like Abuja and Lagos. In response to university revenue concerns, Echono stressed the social role of the education sector over revenue generation.
He commended the government’s decision not to burden institutions with generating significant internal revenue, which could lead to increased student fees. Furthermore, discussions have begun to address the issue of reliable power supply in beneficiary institutions.
TETFund aims to collaborate with stakeholders like the Ministry of Power to explore alternative energy sources and reduce the financial strain on universities grappling with high electricity bills. Improving infrastructure, including power supply, is crucial for enhancing the learning experience for students.
Echono urged students to remain vigilant on their campuses to prevent potential disruptions during national protests and cautioned against the infiltration of troublemakers. The National President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, expressed the association’s commitment to maintaining academic stability and refraining from engaging in protests.
Emonefe highlighted the government’s efforts in negotiating with ASUU to ensure uninterrupted academic calendars and discouraged the mobilization of students for protests due to their limited positive outcomes.
He pledged to inform students about the government’s interventions through TETFund and its impact on the education sector.