Vocational and technical education has been integral part of national development strategies in many societies because of the impact on human resource development, productivity and economic development. It holds the key to national development of most nation’s. However, despite its contribution to societal and economic development, Nigerian leaders have not given this aspect of education the attention it desires. This could be one of the reasons for the nation’s underdevelopment. This paper attempts to examine the concept of vocational and technical education, objectives of vocational and technical education, image of vocational and technical education in Nigeria, the importance and role of vocational and technical education in economic development and challenges of vocational and technical education in Nigeria. The paper concludes that through vocational and technical education youths as well as adults will be trained to acquire skills, attitude and knowledge which are needed for the economic growth of our nation. The paper therefore recommends that the nation must invest copiously in education with particular attention given to vocational and technical education.
Keywords: Economic Development, Nigeria, Skill Acquisition, Vocational and Technical Education.
