Adenegan, Olajuyigbe Task Scholars, Students on Skills, Competencies in an AI-Driven Economy

Ondo, Nigeria — The urgent need to reposition Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) for relevance in a fast-evolving technological landscape took center stage at the official opening ceremony of the Second Annual National Conference of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, Adeyemi Federal University of Education.

Themed “Vocational and Technical Education for an AI-Driven Economy,” the conference brought together scholars, policymakers, education administrators, and students from across the country to interrogate the future of skills development in an era increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A Call to Prepare for the AI Revolution

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ebenezer Olajuyigbe, the ICT Director, University of Medical Sciences, charged participants to brace up for the enormous opportunities and challenges presented by AI. He emphasized that AI is not a threat to vocational and technical education but a catalyst for transformation—if properly harnessed.

According to him, stakeholders must approach AI “modestly, responsively, and respectfully,” ensuring that its deployment aligns with ethical standards, human dignity, and national development goals.

He urged institutions to move beyond fear-driven narratives and instead cultivate a culture of innovation, adaptability, and lifelong learning among students. He noted that soon, many jobs will be displaced by AI. 

“The AI-driven economy demands more than routine technical skills. It requires critical thinking, adaptability, digital fluency, and ethical responsibility,” he noted, stressing that VTE must evolve from traditional skill acquisition models to more dynamic, competence-based frameworks.

From Skills to Competencies: Adenegan Sets the Agenda

The intellectual highpoint of the ceremony was the lead paper presentation by Dr. Kehinde Adenegan, the Rector of Adeyemi College of Technology Ondo, who spoke on “From Skills to Competencies: Modernizing VTE in an AI-Driven Economy.”

Dr. Adenegan made a compelling case for redefining VTE beyond mechanical proficiency. While acknowledging the enduring importance of practical skills, he argued that the future belongs to graduates who can integrate technical expertise with problem-solving ability, creativity, collaboration, and digital intelligence.

He explained that competencies differ from skills in scope and depth. Skills may enable a task; competencies empower innovation and adaptability.

“In an AI-driven economy, it is not enough to know how to operate a machine, attend best schools, nor bag many degrees with numerous certificates. One must understand systems, interpret data, adapt to technological shifts, and continuously upgrade one’s knowledge because if one is not well informed, one will be deformed,” he narrated through a captivating story.

He called for curriculum redesign, stronger industry linkages, digital integration in workshops and laboratories, and competency-based assessment models that measure performance in real-world scenarios rather than rote memorization.

Dr. Adenegan further emphasized that Nigeria’s pathway to sustainable job creation lies in producing graduates who are not merely certificate holders but solution providers capable of thriving in smart industries, digital manufacturing, and tech-enabled enterprises.

Conference Officially Declared Open

The Chairman of the Occasion, Ch. Valentine Akingbesote, formally declared the conference open, commending the Faculty for initiating a timely and nationally relevant conversation.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Prof. Bayode Popoola, warmly welcomed participants to the university. He applauded the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education as one of the institution’s most strategic arms in addressing unemployment and promoting entrepreneurship.

Prof. Popoola described VTE as a “cornerstone of job creation and economic resilience,” particularly in a developing economy seeking to compete globally.

He expressed confidence that the conference would generate actionable insights capable of influencing policy direction and strengthening Nigeria’s education-to-employment pipeline.

Words of Encouragement from Stakeholders

Representing the Father of the Day, Mr. Williams Oloyede, Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Oloyede conveyed appreciation to the Faculty for the honour extended to her husband. She praised the initiative as forward-thinking and necessary for national growth, encouraging sustained collaboration between academia and industry.

The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Adeleye, in his address, heartily welcomed guests and participants. He urged attendees to take full advantage of the intellectual engagements provided by the conference.

According to him, the integration of AI into VTE must not be superficial but strategic—grounded in research, ethical practice, and measurable outcomes.

“This conference is not merely an academic gathering; it is a platform to draw meaningful conclusions on how AI can strengthen vocational and technical education in a technology-driven economy,” he stated.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Conference Committee, Dr. H. Ogundipe, appreciated participants, sponsors, and organizing members for their dedication and support. He described the conference as a collaborative effort aimed at repositioning VTE as a driver of innovation and sustainable development.

Many dignitaries were present at the event, among whom we have Prof. Olufemi Olajuyigbe, Prof. Alake Oyinloye, Dr. Justina Ogboru, Dr. Adejumoke Ale, Dr. Akeem Ganiyu, Dr. Sulyamon Ganiyu, Dr. Samuel Ayeni, Dr. Justina Balogun, Prof. Mrs. Olajuyigbe, the wife of the keynote address speaker, the AFUED Media and publicity team, and others. 

A Conference with National Significance

As deliberations commenced, it became clear that the conference was more than an academic ritual—it was a clarion call to rethink how Nigeria prepares its workforce for the future.

With AI reshaping industries from manufacturing to agriculture, education to healthcare, participants agreed that Vocational and Technical Education must move decisively from traditional workshop-based training to digitally integrated, competency-oriented learning ecosystems.

The collective message resonating from Ondo was unmistakable: in an AI-driven economy, the difference between relevance and redundancy lies in the quality of competencies acquired today.

As scholars and students dispersed into breakout sessions, one conviction remained strong—the future of Nigeria’s workforce depends not merely on acquiring skills, but on mastering competencies that align with the demands of a rapidly advancing technological world.