Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET): Understanding the Nigerian Experience

The descriptive mixed-methods study explores and describes the challenges and prospects of the growth and development of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) schools and science-based technology education in Nigeria. It is not understood how Nigerians in the United States perceive the impacts of governmental policies on education and the eventual contribution of graduates of TVET schools in Nigeria to the country's economic growth and development. The purpose of this descriptive mixed-methods study was to discover the opinions and perceptions of Nigerians in the United States regarding the consequences stemming from the Nigerian government's limited level of support for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) schools and programs.The questions for the descriptive mixed-methods study enable us to understand how the Nigerian government's limited level of support for TVET relate to the shortage of highly skilled manpower and technological capabilities and the policy interventions that will improve the situation and enhance national development. To provide a practical solution to the problem, my stances and conceptual framework hinged on human-capital development, leadership and governance, and technological capabilities. A triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative methods was utilized for data collection. To collect primary quantitative data for the study, 100 questionnaires were distributed; eight semi-structured interviews and focus-group sessions of six individuals were utilized to capture qualitative data. Quantitative data were scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale and qualitative data from the semi-structured questions were systematically examined, analyzed, coded, and integrated into the main data. Simple descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages were employed to analyze and describe the data. The results were expected to enable the researcher to better understand the topic, reach a valid conclusion, and recommend possible practical solutions to the problem.Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management -- Drexel University, 201