Springforth Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has urged the Federal Government to integrate vocational training into the secondary school curriculum to tackle rising youth unemployment.
Founder of the foundation, Mrs. Blessing Agborume, made the appeal in Lagos, stressing that combining academic learning with practical skills would better equip students for the job market.
According to her, the initiative should cover areas such as fashion designing, tailoring, barbing, farming, fishing, and digital skills like coding. She said this would not only enhance employability but also create avenues for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
Agborume emphasised that implementing the proposal would require skilled instructors, adequate facilities, and collaboration among government, private sector players, and other stakeholders.
She noted that such reforms would help reduce unemployment, ease pressure on the labour market, and build a stronger, more resilient economy.
Highlighting the foundation’s impact since its establishment in June 2022, Agborume said it had sponsored 27 children through primary, junior, and senior secondary education as part of its contribution to societal development.
She revealed that five individuals were currently undergoing vocational training two in barbing, two in generator repair, and one in fashion designing—while the organisation had also mentored a songwriter and gospel artist.
In addition, the foundation sponsors LEKKI Sport Television to promote youth participation in sports as a means of steering them away from crime, drug abuse, and other social vices.