Harnessing the Technical and Vocational Skills to Increase the Quality of Life of Citizens in Nigeria, using the template from Nepal.

No country on earth has enough technical and vocational skilled manpower to meet local demand, let alone export this to other countries. However, some countries have leveraged the skills gap across the planet to create programmes that enabled them to export these skills while meeting the local demand. This is because, beyond local demand for these skills, the world is constantly looking for these expert technicians to work in projects across the world. Countries now export skills to boost foreign reserves.

We can look at India to understand how a deliberate policy can make the export of intellect boost, not just a country’s foreign reserve and quality of life, but also its image among nations. The establishment of the India Institute of Technology in May 1950 (in Kharagpur at the site of the Hijli Detention Camp, where the British had incarcerated political prisoners) and formal inauguration on August 18, 1951, heralded India’s notice to the world that it would lead in technology across businesses and institutions. Today, nearly all major tech firms are headed by an Indian, and most schools in Africa had science teachers from India in the 60’s and 80’s.
Nepal is another country that has leapfrogged other smaller nations in growth, scale and quality of life using the export of labour. Nepal has a rich history of exporting labor, dating back to the early 19th century. In the early days, Nepalese workers were primarily exported to India, where they worked as soldiers (mercenaries). This continued into the 20th century where the average soldier/labourer earned $80 a month for such a dangerous source of income. Despite the economic benefits of labor exports, this approach was not sustainable in the long run. The work was often difficult and dangerous, and Nepalese workers faced exploitation and abuse by their employers (you could almost replace Nepal with Nigeria here). In addition, the reliance on labor exports led to a brain drain in Nepal, as skilled workers left the country to seek better opportunities abroad.
To address these issues, the Nepalese government started to focus on developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a crucial element in Nepal's economic development strategy, contributing to the country's increase in GDP. Nepalese government started exporting expert labor – plumbers, electricians, machine tools operators, mechanics, joiners, HVaC professionals, heavy equipment operators and others (all certified) to other countries, such as the Middle East, to work in the construction and oil industries. These workers were now remitting $1800/month as against the previous $80/month as mercenaries. The government of Nepal has recognized the importance of skilled human resources for the country's economic development and has invested heavily in TVET programs to build a skilled workforce. They created TVET centers across Nepal. The following are some of the ways that Nepal has used TVET to increase its GDP: Addressing the skills gap: Nepal has been facing a significant skills gap, with a large portion of the population lacking the necessary skills and knowledge to participate in the country's economic development. To address this issue, the government has implemented TVET programs to provide training in various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and industry. Promotion of entrepreneurship: TVET programs in Nepal are designed to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. This approach helps to create new opportunities for individuals to become self-sufficient and contribute to the country's economic growth. By fostering entrepreneurship, TVET programs encourage innovation and new business ideas that can drive economic development. Industry-Academia collaboration: The government has also promoted collaboration between academia and industry to ensure that TVET programs are relevant and aligned with the needs of the labor market. This collaboration has helped to ensure that graduates of TVET programs have the necessary skills and knowledge required by the industry, reducing the skills gap and promoting economic growth. International recognition: Nepal has been successful in attracting international recognition for its TVET programs, which has helped to create new opportunities for Nepalese skilled workers in the international job market. This has contributed to the country's GDP by increasing the income of Nepalese workers and promoting the export of skilled labor. Foreign investment: The availability of a skilled workforce through TVET programs has also attracted foreign investment to Nepal. Companies operating in Nepal are looking for a skilled workforce that can help them operate efficiently and grow their businesses. The government has encouraged foreign investment by promoting Nepal's TVET programs, which have helped to attract foreign companies to invest in the country. In conclusion, Nepal has used TVET programs to address the skills gap, promote entrepreneurship, and foster collaboration between academia and industry. These initiatives have helped to build a skilled workforce, attract foreign investment, and increase the country's GDP. TVET programs in Nepal have played a critical role in the country's economic development strategy, promoting human resource development, and helping to build a sustainable and resilient economy.

Las Las, Nigeria has no excuse.