Title: STRATEGIES FOR STRENGTHENING TVET INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP IN CLOTHING AND TEXTILES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Authors:
Onyeche D. Ejembi & Ajachukwu Princess Amaka

Abstract: Abstract The Nigerian textile industry had over the years created over 3 million jobs for the citizens, but presently, the industry is collapsing with less than 20% capacity production. However, there seems to be an advantage to the industry following the availability of arable lands for increasing cotton cultivation in Benue State. On the other hand, colleges of education graduates thousands of textile students yearly but the industry still faces the challenge of skills-industry gap. This study therefore investigates strategies for strengthening partnerships between colleges of education and textile industries in Benue State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population was 471 with a sample size of 112 respondents, made up of students, lecturers and TVET administrators. Data were collected using questionnaire, while data analyses were done using mean (????̅) and standard deviation (SD). The findings of the study include that there are some available partnership strategies within the colleges studied; poor funding, staff incompetence, unfavourable stakeholder’s attitude, among others were highlighted as major challenges while dedicated budgetary and funding scheme, staff training, provision of liaison offices, etc. were identified strategies by the respondents. It concluded that TVET-industry partnership will not operate on a sustainable basis without the conscious efforts and collective investment from governments, colleges, and industry. Keywords: Clothing and textile, TVET, Industry partnership, Economic growth, Benue State.

Publication Date: 2026-07-21