In an era where economic self-reliance is vital for national growth, bridging the gap between classroom theory and practical workforce skills has never been more critical.
Edo State’s targeted push toward youth empowerment recently achieved national acclaim as Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo was honored with a prestigious National Award of Excellence for his outstanding dedication to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Presented by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), the recognition underscores a transformative shift in Edo State—one that positions vocational mastery as the bedrock of modern industrialization and sustainable youth employment.
Receiving the award, Governor Monday Okpebholo who was represented by his Chief of Staff Hon. Yakubu Musa said the recognition reflects the deliberate investments being made by the Okpebholo led administration in education, skills acquisition, and youth development.
The governor described the honour as one that belongs to the people of Edo State, especially the youth and women, whose growth and empowerment remain at the centre of his administration’s development agenda.
He noted that no reward is greater in public service than seeing policies positively impact the lives of citizens, adding that the state government remains committed to expanding access to quality technical and vocational education as a foundation for industrialization, job creation, and sustainable economic development.
The awards add to the growing list of recognitions earned by the Okpebholo administration for its people-centred policies and reaffirm Edo State’s resolve to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of a modern economy.
The summit brought together government officials, education experts, development partners, and key stakeholders to deliberate on the future of TVET in Nigeria under the theme, “Repositioning Technical and Vocational Education for Nigeria’s Industrial Development.”
