Breaking Gender Barriers: Expanding Opportunities for Girls in Nigeria’s Technical Colleges

By Abimbola Kemi

In Nigeria’s evolving education landscape, the focus is shifting beyond mere access to issues of relevance, inclusion, and opportunity. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), particularly in technical colleges, is increasingly recognised as a vital pathway for equipping young people with practical, job-ready skills. However, one significant challenge persists—the underrepresentation of girls in these institutions.

For decades, technical education has been widely perceived as a male-dominated field. Trades such as blocklaying, carpentry, electrical installation, and mechanical work are often stereotyped as “men’s jobs,” discouraging many girls from enrolling in technical colleges. This perception continues to limit career choices for young women and restricts the nation’s ability to maximize its human capital.

Encouragingly, attitudes are beginning to shift. Evidence from technical colleges across Nigeria shows that girls who enroll in technical programs perform just as well as their male counterparts. More importantly, they bring unique strengths such as attention to detail, creativity, and innovation.

To sustain this progress, there must be a deliberate effort to reshape societal perceptions. Parents, guardians, and community leaders must begin to view technical education as a viable and respectable career pathway for girls.

Technical colleges have a responsibility to create inclusive and supportive learning environments. This includes:
I. Providing safe and gender-sensitive facilities
II. Encouraging mentorship programs for female students
III. Showcasing successful female role models in technical fields
IV. When girls see others like them succeeding, their confidence and participation increase significantly.

Government and Policy Intervention

Government action is critical in addressing gender imbalance in technical education. Policies should focus on:
i. Offering scholarships and incentives for girls in TVET
ii. Promoting awareness campaigns on the value of technical skills
iii. Integrating modern technologies such as digital tools and automation into training

These steps will not only attract more female students but also align technical education with global workforce demands.

The private sector can play a transformative role by partnering with technical colleges to:
i. Provide internships and hands-on training opportunities
ii. Support skill development programs for female students
iii. Facilitate employment pathways for graduates
Such collaborations will reinforce the importance of competence over gender in the labour market.

Empowering girls through technical education goes beyond individual success. It contributes to:
i. Economic growth
ii. Poverty reduction
iii. Gender equality
iv. Community development

A skilled woman is not only self-reliant but also a driver of positive change within her family and society.

Nigeria cannot afford to overlook the potential of half of its population. Breaking gender barriers in technical colleges is not just a matter of fairness—it is a strategic necessity for national development.

Expanding opportunities for girls in technical education requires collective effort from families, educators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. When girls are empowered with skills, they do not just transform their own lives—they help build a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria.

The views expressed in this piece are entirely those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of UNILAG Sun

Author bio: Abimbola Olamide Kemi
Post Graduate student ( Technology Education Department University of Lagos )
Contact email: ogunniyiolamide96@gmail.com