Prioritise skills over academic degrees – Mohammed, Ex-NASENI CEO tells youths
By Faith Awa Maji
A former Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, has urged youths in Nigeria to prioritise skills acquisition over academic degrees for self-reliance and sustainability.
Haruna has held various strategic positions including those of Technician, Supervisor, Engineer, Maintenance and Services Manager and Technical Manager across various firms including NASCO Group of Companies, Ikara Food Processing Company, Mainsys Technical, Controlled Plastics Limited in Kano, and New Nigerian Printing and Packaging Plc.
He emphasises the need for relevant technology training and integrated education to foster job creation and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.
According to him, reintroduction of relevant technology training and integrated education for job creation for sustainable economic development in Nigeria is key.
“Technology for National development is a tripod consisting of craftsmen/artisans or technicians who form the foundation of a pyramid and are the human resources for industrial development.
“The second leg of the tripod are the technologist/scientific officers who form the pillars of the pyramid.
“The apex of that pyramid are the Engineers who are the third leg of the tripod theory.
“Absence of any of these classes in any nation is a recipe for sustaining consumer-oriented economy instead of a production economy,” Haruna said.
Citing China’s transformation of several universities into centres for vocational and technical training, Haruna applauded Nigeria’s steps, particularly through agencies like NDDC, NEDC and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, for prioritising skills acquisition to empower the country’s youth.
His media aide, Theophilus Ewu, told FMBlog that at the heart of Prof. Haruna’s vision lies a fervent advocacy for the elevation of practical skills and vocational training. “This, he believes, forms the bedrock for nurturing an industrious economy that places primacy on production rather than consumption,” Ewu said.
