Vocational Education: The World Bank, Ogun State Partnership

“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” – Eric Hoffer

While the United States president, Donald Trump, has suspended develop­ment aid to many developing countries, halting projects and causing significant disruptions, the World Bank has taken a starkly different approach by choosing to invest in Ogun State’s education and voca­tional training. This contrast highlights differing approaches to global support and development.

It’s a fascinating juxtaposition: on the one hand, the World Bank is fostering growth and development through strate­gic investments, while on the other, the U.S. is retracting its support, potentially leaving a void that other global players might fill.

One such sharp contrast is this col­laborative and forward-thinking effort of the World Bank in Ogun State called the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP). In a bold move to re­vitalize the education sector, for instance, the State Government is embarking on an ambitious project to rehabilitate eight Government Technical Colleges (GTCs) across the state. This initiative, driven by the collaboration with the World Bank, aims to transform these institutions into centres of excellence, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive the state’s industrialisation efforts. It is a vision couched in stepping up the game of skills acquisition and vocation training from the grassroots.

The Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, TPL. Tunji Odunlami, highlighted the government’s commit­ment to upgrading these colleges, giving them a facelift to attract students from all walks of life. “Education is one of the core pillars of the ISEYA mantra, and we are determined to make these institutions functional in line with global best practic­es,” he emphasized while opening one of the newly constructed facilities in Ilara in Remo North Local Government recently.

The project has already led to signif­icant improvements, including the ren­ovation and construction of new school buildings, equipping schools with modern facilities such as science labs, libraries, and ICT centres. Additionally, technical instructors and teachers across eight technical colleges have received training, equipping them with the skills necessary to deliver high-quality education.

OGSTEP’s impact extends beyond the classroom, encompassing public sector reform and governance. The project has operationalised an e-procurement portal and upgraded procurement platforms, en­hancing the efficiency and transparency of educational resource allocation.

With over 10,000 beneficiaries complet­ing vocational training under the Ogun State Skills Fund, the project is ensuring that students gain hands-on experience and are well-prepared for the job market. The government’s efforts to create an en­abling environment for learning and skill development have been underscored by the Project Manager for Skill and Devel­opment, Mr. Fatai Osunsanya.

As the Ogun State Government contin­ues to drive this transformative initiative, the future of vocational education in the state looks promising. With the collective efforts of all stakeholders, these institu­tions are poised to become beacons of excellence, fostering a well-trained work­force that can drive the state’s industrial­isation efforts.

Central to OGSTEP’s efforts is the in­troduction of an intensive STEM teach­ing methodology, encapsulated within the modified Progressive Science Initia­tive-Progressive Mathematics Initiative (PSI-PMI). This groundbreaking approach has been fortified by a comprehensive training programme for STEM educators, meticulously designed to enhance their knowledge and pedagogical practices. As a direct result of these endeavours, a cadre of 750 STEM teachers, proficient in sub­jects ranging from Agricultural Science to Physics, has been cultivated.

A pivotal intervention lies in the re­structuring of the Ogun State Technical and Vocational Education Board (OGST­VEB), with a strategic inclusion of private sector industry in the management and operations of technical colleges. This paradigm shift has culminated in the in­auguration of OGSTVEB board members and governing council members for the eight technical colleges, thereby fostering a symbiotic relationship between educa­tion and industry.

In addition, a meticulous labour mar­ket survey has been conducted, unveiling critical skills gaps within Ogun State’s in­dustrial sector. This revelation has paved the way for robust collaborations with industry partners, creating invaluable industrial experience opportunities for both teachers and students. To date, an impressive array of 350 industry partners has been secured, with 120 teachers and technical instructors gaining industry exposure, and 1,250 students partaking in industrial attachments across various partner industries.

The physical rehabilitation of the eight technical colleges stands as a testament to OGSTEP’s commitment to infrastructural excellence. Currently, contractors are ac­tively engaged in upgrading academic and administrative buildings, transforming these institutions into bastions of educa­tional excellence.

Moreover, the establishment of the Ogun State Skills Funds represents a sig­nificant milestone, providing crucial fund­ing for training within the informal and non-formal sub-sectors of education. This initiative has facilitated the completion of two editions of community-based skills training programmes, enriching the lives of 16,404 individuals through vocational and business development training.

The emphasis on digital skills training for teachers in senior secondary schools and officers of the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MOEST) further underscores OGSTEP’s forward-thinking approach. This initiative has empowered 189 teachers with Internet Core Compe­tency Certification (ICE3) and certified 36 teachers and four MOEST officials as Microsoft Certified Educators (MCE).

The impact of these transformative initiatives on Ogun State’s education sec­tor is both profound and far-reaching. The enhancement of the STEM curriculum has fostered an environment of interac­tive and participatory learning. Teachers are now adept at imparting STEM knowl­edge without inducing trepidation among students. Additionally, the strengthened rapport between educational institutions and private sector companies has engen­dered collaborative curriculum updates. The digital competence of teachers and ministry officials has markedly improved service delivery.

The positive reception of these inter­ventions within the communities attests to the effective engagement and commu­nication strategies employed by OGSTEP. Anticipating future needs, OGSTEP is poised to continue its mission with further equipment installations across technical colleges, rehabilitation and upgrade of senior secondary school laboratories, support for the Ministry of Education’s bid to become an awarding body under the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the enhancement of the state Education Management Information Sys­tem.

Today, OGSTEP proudly showcases its achievements: an increasing number of skilled youths and women, the expan­sion of government interventions into the informal and non-formal education sub-sectors, and the remodelling of techni­cal colleges to foster an improved teaching and learning environment.

“The Ogun State Economic Transfor­mation Project (OGSTEP) is a beacon of progress, reshaping the educational landscape in Ogun State. As part of the broader Ogun State Development Pro­gram (SDP), OGSTEP focuses on key areas, including education, to elevate the state to a high-income economy. This ini­tiative, driven by the partnership between Ogun State and the World Bank, brings a multitude of benefits to the education sector, fostering long-term growth and de­velopment,” said Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology.

As OGSTEP continues to champion educational transformation in Ogun State, the horizon gleams with the promise of a new generation of skilled and empowered individuals. This pioneering project is not just an educational reform; it’s a beacon of hope and progress, lighting the path towards a thriving industrial future for the state. With unwavering dedication and innovative strategies, OGSTEP is redefining vocational education, setting a gold standard for excellence and collab­oration across Nigeria. The journey has only just begun, and the best is yet to come. The World Bank’s OGSTEP is heralding a new era in vocational education and skills acquisition in Ogun State, setting a benchmark for educational excellence and industry collaboration in Nigeria.

•Somorin, former Chief Press Sec­retary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, writes from Abeokuta