In a powerful call for greater inclusivity in vocational and technical education, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, has shared the inspiring story of a female medical doctor who abandoned her profession to follow her passion for carpentry.
Bugaje made this revelation while speaking in Abuja during his assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration two years into office. He used the opportunity to stress the importance of encouraging women and persons with disabilities to pursue careers in technical and vocational fields.
According to him, societal and cultural norms often discourage women from engaging in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work. He said this mindset must change if Nigeria is to fully harness the potential of its youth.
He cited the real-life case of a woman who defied these norms by walking away from a well-paying and prestigious career in medicine to embrace carpentry, a field traditionally seen as a man’s job.
“There is a story I want to share with you,” Bugaje said. “A girl who loved carpentry was constantly pushed away by her father, a carpenter, because she was female. She had three brothers who were allowed in the workshop, but she was told to stay in the house.”
Despite her passion, the girl was sent to medical school by her father. She completed her MBBS, did her one-year internship, and qualified as a doctor. But instead of practicing, she returned the certificate to her father, thanked him for the opportunity, and insisted on pursuing carpentry.
Eventually, the father gave in and sent her to Turkey to study furniture-making professionally.
Bugaje said the story highlights the importance of allowing young people to follow their passion, especially in skill-based training. He added that many young women have the talent and drive to succeed in technical fields but are often held back by outdated societal expectations.
“We need to support young women who want to be carpenters, POP artists, or ICT professionals. Passion drives innovation, and innovation drives development,” Bugaje said.
He called on policymakers to introduce deliberate measures, such as scholarships and incentives, to encourage more women to enter the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) space.
Bugaje also urged parents to support their daughters in exploring careers in non-traditional roles.
“If we really want to see Nigeria move forward, we must break these cultural barriers and let people follow their talents, regardless of gender,” he said.
His comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to struggle with high youth unemployment and a skills gap in technical sectors. Experts have long argued that boosting technical education could provide the practical skills needed to grow the economy and reduce joblessness.