Technical Education Key to National Development, Says AFUED VC at 2nd FVTE Conference

The Vice-Chancellor of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED) Ondo, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola, has stressed the need for more attention to be paid to technical education in Nigeria, saying the move would help in advancing the country's development.

Prof. Popoola made the statement in a speech delivered at the 2nd National Conference of the institution's Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education (FVTE), which held on Tuesday March 3,2026 in the University.

The University Administrator identified importance of Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) in society, saying "Vocational and Technical Education is no longer peripheral, it is central, it holds the key to equipping our workforce, with practical future-ready skills that are adaptive, innovative and globally relevant," he remarked.

Describing the theme of the 2nd FVTE National Conference : " VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) DRIVEN ECONOMY" as apt, Prof. Popoola said the intellectual gathering would help in providing insight into how Vocational and Technical Education could be repositioned to thrive in an Artificial Intelligent (AI) driven economy, as well as addressing issues pertaining to Artificial Intelligence, Robotics Engineering, Smart Manufacturing and Digital Technologies, in order to see how they could be integrated into technical training programme, without losing the "human touch of creativity, ethics and problem solving".

The University helmsman expressed optimism about the success of the conference saying the intellectual gathering, would provide a timely platform to interrogate issues pertaining to" how to strengthen the nexus between education and industry, so that learning outcomes would translate directly into productivity, employability and entrepreneurship ".

Prof. Popoola, expressed the hope that through keynote addresses, lead paper presentations, panel discussions, technical sessions, workshop and exhibitions, participants would ' exchange ideas, share best practices, showcase innovations and forge partnership that can accelerate economic revitalisation and inclusive growth ".

The University helmsman used the occasion to advise tertiary institutions in Nigeria to shift more attention from theory to practical, certificate to competence as well as engaging in more collaborations with industries and people with technical expertise, saying the step would advance technological development.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, AFUED Ondo, Prof. E O Adeleye, stated that the conference was organised to provide a " platform for scholars, practitioners, policy makers and industry stakeholders to engage in robust discussions, share research findings, exchange best practices and propose workable solutions to challenges facing VTE in an AI - Driven world.

Prof. Adeleye expressed appreciation to Management of the University, members of the Conference Local Organising Committee (LOC), heads of departments, as well staff of the FVTE for their contributions towards the success of the conference.

In a keynote address presented on the occasion by the Director, Information and Communication Technology Centre (DICTC), University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo City, Ondo State, Dr. Ebenezer Oluwasesan Olajuyigbe, he spoke extensively on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and listed its uses in Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Military, Public transportation and other fields of human endeavours.

The UNIMED ICTC Director identified seven challenges which he said is affecting the use of AI in Nigeria to include problems associated with technological gap and accessibility, resistance to change, outdated and rigid school curriculum, shortage of AI-skilled instructors, problem associated with ethical, legal and governmence as well as inadequate infrastructure, equipment and high cost of technology adoption.

As panacea, the renowned Computer Scientist, appealed to government at all levels in the country, to prioritize technical education through provision of more funds needed for development of infrastructure.

Also in a lead paper presented on the occasion by the Acting Rector Adeyemi College of Technology (ACT) Ondo, Ondo State, Dr. Adenegan Kehinde Emmanuel, he emphasised the need for Nigerians especially those in the South West part of the country to key into the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in solving some of the challenges being faced in their occupations.

Adenegan also stressed the need for degree holders to shift attention from the certificate they have in their possession but to focus more attention on skills acquisition saying "there is a pressing need and strategic opportunity, to reframe education from s certificate and skills -centric paradigm to competencies -centric one".

The event, which held at the Obongawan Grace Ekong Lecture theatre in the University also featured delivery of speeches by the Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee, Dr. Muyiwa Ogunsipe, Chairman of the Conference, Chief Akingbesote Valentine Oyeyemi and father -of- the- day, Mr. Oloyede Williams Rotimi represented by his wife, Dr. Mrs. E F Oloyede.

Eminent personalities who attended the event included the Vice-Chancellor AFUED, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola; Chairman Committee of Deans AFUED, Prof. Oyenike Oyinloye; Rector, Adeyemi College of Technology Ondo, Dr. Kehinde Emmanuel Adenegan and the immediate past Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor AFUED, Prof. Olufemi Abayomi Olajuyigbe.

Also present were Deans and Directors from AFUED, staff and students of the University among others."