Revitalising Nigeria Economy Through Science and Technology Education in the 21st Century : Implications for Skills Acquisition

Nobody is in doubt as to whether there is need to make the current quality of education being offered at secondary and tertiary levels in science and technology education in Nigeria more relevant, more entrepreneurial in nature and therefore more self sustaining. Desiring to achieve this in the near future, this paper examines how to possibly revitalize Nigeria economy through science and technology education in the 21st century with particular emphasis on the implications it holds for skills acquisition. Possibilities/opportunities of making the science and technology education subjects entrepreneurial in nature were examined and it was concluded that with renewed emphasis on skills acquisition there is hope of revitalizing Nigeria economy through science and technology education. With adequate weighting given to practical and workshop/studio practices, more time allotted to practical/workshop practices, those who offer science subjects allowed to go on Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) and promotion of science and technology education teachers tied to progress of learners in external examination in practical/workshop practices, the nation's economy could be revitalized as individual economy is being revitalized also. The paper however cautions that unless something drastic happens concerning poor knowledge of the subject matter and examination malpractice, every efforts made in this regard may be fruitless