Vocational Education as A Strategy for Poverty Reduction and Economic Development in Nigeria.

Poverty in Nigeria has risen in recent years and youth employment remains weak, yet survey evidence on how vocational training translates into household welfare and local economic contribution is limited. This study examined whether vocational skills acquisition predicts poverty reduction and economic development contribution among vocational graduates, and whether employment and income security mediates these relationships. A cross-sectional survey of 398 graduates of technical colleges and polytechnic vocational programmes in Lagos and Oyo States was analysed with multiple regression, including controls, and a bootstrapped mediation model. Vocational skills acquisition was positively related to poverty reduction (β = .45, p < .001) and to economic development contribution (β = .46, p < .001). Employment and income security mediated part of both relationships, with indirect effects of .11 and .10 that accounted for 25% and 21% of the total effects, while the direct effects remained significant (β = .33 and .37, both p < .001). Recommendations concern industry placement and apprenticeship links, career guidance, and start-up support for graduates.