My interactions with Indian institutions triggered me to understand how we can resolve the situation in Nigeria, and thus, Fides et Ratio Academy was set up
By Moses Okorie
An educational foundation, Fides et Ratio Academy, has advocated for the need for Nigerian students and institutions to focus on skilled education rather than the overt focus on certification, as is the case.
The foundation stated this during an interactive session with pressmen at its corporate headquarters at the Yakubu Gowon Centre, Abogo Largema Street, Abuja. Speaking on behalf of the academy, its chairman, Paul Chukwuma, reiterated that the academy, which was incorporated in 2006, has been focused on filling the skill gaps of many Nigerians for over a decade, especially the youths, to meet up with the changing dynamics of workforce skills demands.
He argued that Nigeria must collaboratively work to refocus attention on skills and not certification, as skills are the value employees seek, not certification.
“In 2004, I employed a computer science second-class upper graduate who could not operate a computer. He understood the theory but lacked the practical experience that I and other employees wanted. I have gone on to witness this in many other situations, and I began to seek a solution. My interactions with Indian institutions triggered me to understand how we can resolve the situation in Nigeria, and thus, Fides et Ratio Academy was set up.”
He further commended the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being skilled-focused and initiating many skill empowerment programs to ensure that Nigerian students and youths have the right industrial skills that will aid in the growth of the economy and reduce the unemployment rate.
Responding to questions on its collaboration with relevant government institutions to equip students with skills, the chairman, Paul Chukwuma, stated that through a strategic partnership with TETFUND, Fides et Ratio Academy has trained two million Nigerian students across the geopolitical zones.
“Through our strategic partnership with TETFUND, we have provided, at a subsidized rate, access to two million Nigerian students to learn ICT skills on our ICT training module domiciled on our online platform. With this, we expect remarkable growth in skill acquisition and utilization within the Nigerian tertiary institutions. Coincidentally, the trainers who travelled to the six geopolitical zones to train the ICT directors of various tertiary institutions are here with us in this interactive session.”
Fides et Ratio Academy will continue to support skill development amongst Nigerian youths and students and encourage all tiers of government and institutions to key into the program.