President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has urged developing nations to emphasise on technical and vocational education as a tool for accelerated industrial development and growth.
The business mogul spoke at the Global Education First Initiative Anniversary and Learning for All Round Table held in New York, the United States.
He said tht developing nations need a paradigm shift in their educational system to spur technological development.
Dangote said the time had come for developing economies, especially those in Africa, to focus on vocational/technical education to provide requisite skills for driving the quest for industrial development.
He said the same strategy was used by the Koreans and the Asian Tigers (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan) to effectively transform from backwardness to frontline economies.
The global businessman noted that since it worked in several countries, African countries only need a strong drive to make it work.
Dangote identified women as powerful aspects of the population and called for the increased involvement of the girl-child in education.
According to him, the right education can have a dramatic impact on women's productivity.
Africa's richest man also called for the training of youths who, as the future leaders, need to have the skills that would equip them for their leadership roles.
On the activities of his group of industries in promoting quality leadership, the renowned businessman said Dangote Group sponsors young people from Africa to the World Economic Forum meetings to expose them to the art of leadership from leading global businessmen and statesmen.
