Prof. Onwualu Reaffirms TVET Focus as Push Africa Graduates First Healthcare Assistants

The President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Professor Azikiwe Onwualu, FAS, has reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) through strategic industry partnerships and collaborations.

He made this statement in Abuja during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Push Africa/ AUST Healthcare Assistant Training Programme, where over 100 healthcare assistants graduated.

Professor Onwualu noted that while Nigeria continues to produce more degree holders than skilled technicians and artisans needed in critical sectors, AUST is expanding its focus to bridge that gap by creating an innovation hub that equips learners with hands-on, industry-ready skills.

“Every graduate of this university is either employed before graduation or immediately after,” he said.

He expressed the university's determination in extending this employment quotient to technical, vocational, and undergraduate programmes.

The AUST boss, urged the graduands to leverage their newly acquired skills to become globally competitive, adding that the training received is internationally recognised and provides opportunities for career growth, further education, and pathways into nursing and other health-related fields.

The Founder of Push Africa, Doris Egberamen, said the organisation’s vision is to empower at least two million Nigerians and Africans with market-relevant skills in healthcare, technology, media, and agriculture.

She explained that the initiative is driven by the need to tackle unemployment and poverty in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa by providing young people with clearer job pathways.

Egberamen urged the graduands to approach their new careers with discipline, empathy, and professional qualities essential to the healthcare sector, adding that the programme marks the beginning of a broader journey with opportunities locally and internationally.

She also reminded them that the skills obtained are globally relevant and encouraged them to continuously seek improvement, uphold ethical standards, and remain focused in their career development.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development led by Despan Kwardem and medical directors from several hospitals in Abuja attended the graduation ceremony.