EOTWILLIAM Academy Unveils Polytechnic Ambition, Olota Urges Youths To Embrace Skills Acquisition
Correspondent
EOTWILLIAM Skills and Enterprise Academy (ESEA) has unveiled plans to upgrade into a private polytechnic as it seeks to expand technical and vocational education programmes, while the Olota of Ota, Oba Prof. Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace skills acquisition as a pathway to self-reliance and economic empowerment.
The announcement was made during the academy’s 2026 Open Day held on Saturday at its campus in Igbala, Ota, Ogun State, where visitors toured training facilities, observed practical demonstrations and interacted with instructors and students.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of EOTWILLIAM, Pastor Peter Oluwatobi Ogundele, said the institution was committed to producing competent, innovative and entrepreneurial graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy.
Operating under the slogan, “Learn Skills, Launch Dreams,” Ogundele said the academy was focused on practical learning, technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship and industry-driven competencies.
He disclosed that the institution intends to seek the necessary regulatory approvals to begin offering National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes as part of its long-term vision of becoming a recognised private polytechnic and college of innovation.
The academy also announced plans to introduce a one-year free mentorship programme for graduates to support their transition into employment, entrepreneurship and professional development.
Addressing participants, the Olota of Ota described skills development as a critical tool for youth empowerment, job creation and community development.
According to the monarch, engaging young people in productive vocational activities would help reduce unemployment, discourage crime and promote sustainable economic growth.
He urged youths in Ota and neighbouring communities to acquire practical skills that would enable them to establish businesses, become employers of labour and attain financial independence.
Oba Obalanlege noted that with increasing unemployment among university graduates, technical and vocational education offers viable alternatives for sustainable livelihoods.
Drawing from his experience in the United Kingdom, he stressed the global relevance of vocational skills and encouraged young people to take advantage of available training opportunities within their communities.
The academy noted that rising youth unemployment and the mismatch between academic qualifications and labour market demands had increased the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
It maintained that practical education equips learners with employable skills, supports entrepreneurship and enhances workforce readiness.
ESEA also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, private organisations, development partners and host communities to improve access to quality vocational education and sustainable employment opportunities.
According to the institution, partnerships with industry remain essential to ensuring its programmes remain relevant while creating direct pathways from training to employment and business development.
The academy outlined its mission as delivering high-quality skills training and reaffirmed its vision of becoming one of Africa’s leading skills development institutions.
It identified its guiding principles as Certificate, Competence, Character and Consistency, stressing the importance of recognised qualifications, technical excellence, integrity and discipline.
The institution also highlighted training and certification standards associated with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), while advising prospective students to verify the accreditation status of individual programmes with the relevant regulatory authorities.
The event attracted traditional rulers, government officials, education stakeholders, industry leaders, religious organisations, development partners, parents, students and prospective learners, highlighting the growing collaboration among public and private institutions in promoting skills development and youth empowerment in Ogun State.
