Authors : Elemure, Clement Boluwaji

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2xjzxbve

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/ysthzdbm

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec286

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.

Abstract : Quality education plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals and society acquire the desired level of knowledge and skills. The advancement of the Office Technology and Management (OTM) programme contributes to increased productivity and innovation, offering significant potential for empowering graduates toward self-reliance. This study aimed to investigate ways in which the opportunities within the OTM programme can be leveraged to promote economic diversification in Nigeria. Two research questions guided the investigation. A descriptive survey research design was employed, targeting a population of 50 lecturers across three tertiary institutions in Ekiti State that offer the programme. Given the small population, total enumeration was used as the sampling technique. Data were collected using a 4-point Likert-type questionnaire, and analysis was conducted using mean scores and standard deviations. Findings indicated that respondents generally agreed with the statements presented, as evidenced by the grand means and standard deviations for the research questions, which were 3.27 (0.86) and 3.22 (0.84), respectively—both exceeding the study’s threshold of 2.50. The results highlighted that the OTM programme contains diverse opportunities that can be harnessed for economic diversification. The study concluded that incorporating information and communication technology, automation, and business management into the curriculum positions the programme as a catalyst for economic growth. It was recommended that government policies should support the modernization and adequate funding of OTM programmes in tertiary institutions to ensure their effective implementation, standardization, and sustainability.

Keywords : Office Technology and Management, Economic Diversification, Curriculum, Empowerment, Tertiary Institutions.

References :

1. Abubakar, H.S., Abdullahi, U. &Gupa, S.I. (2017). Strategies for empowering youth with basic entrepreneurship skills for self employment in Nigeria. International Journal of Topical Educational Issues,1 (2), 260-268.
2. Adebisi, T. A. (2023). Vocational and technical education for sustainable development: A roadmap to peace building and socio-economic reconstruction in Africa. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 17(03), 177–183.
3. Ajisafe, O.E.,  Bolarinwa, K.O. &Edeh, T. (2015). Issues in business education programme: challenges to national transformation. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(21), 208-212.
4. Babalola, Y.A.  &Tiamiyu, R. (2013).  Job creation and economic empowerment through business education. Information and Knowledge Management,www.iiste.org, 3(3).
5. Ebinga, D.E. (2014).  Strategies of business education in job creation and self reliance for sustainable development. International Journal of Basic, Applied and Innovative Research, 3(4): 137 – 142.
6. Ejeka, C.A. &Mgbonyebi, (2016). D.C. Entrepreneurship skills expected of graduates of office technology and management programme from Nigerian polytechnics. International Journal of Advanced Academic Research (Social & Management Sciences), 2(4), 1-12.
7. Ejiro, J.O. &Ladu, K.M. (2017). Repositioning office technology and management graduates in 21st century for economic empowerment through entrepreneurship skills. Journal of Qualitative Education, 13(1), 1-12.
8. Ezeahurukwe, N.L. &Ameh, A.O. (2017)  Entrepreneurial opportunities available in the office technology and management programme. Nigerian Journal of Business Education 4(2), 357-367.
9. Gidado, S. D. (2019). Business education: A veritable instrument for enhancing youth empowerment for self-reliance in Nigeria. International Journal of Education (IJE), 1(2), 1-14.
10. Iheukwumere, O.C., Uteh, C.K. &Nkoro, K.M. (2019).   Strategies for preparing office technology and management students for global competition in the 21st century. International Academy Journal of Africa Development, 7(2), 81-89.
11. Ineye-Briggs, A. C. (2023). Diversifying Nigeria economy through technology: Prospects and challenges. Scholarly Journal of Science and Technology Research & Development, 2, (11), 11-19.
12. Kareem, R., Ademoyewa, G., Jolaosho, S., Ojenike, J. and Sodiq, L. (2015). Entrepreneurship education and self-reliance: Case study of crescent university, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 17(5), 33-51.
13. Lawal, A.W. (2013). Technical and vocational education, a tool for national development in Nigeria, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 4 (8), 85-89.
14. Ogar, C. E. &Atanda, L. A. (2019).  Strategies in economic diversification for self-reliance in Nigeria, International Journal of Information Studies, 11(4), 99-108.
15. Okolocha, C.C.  & Baba, E.I. (2016). The role of vocational and technical education in Nigeria democratic dispensation, International Journal of Capacity Building in Education and Management, 2(4): 12-24.
16. Olubodun, M. E. &Adaradohun, A. V. (2020).  Diversification of technical and vocational education for human capital development in Nigeria: A Review,Ilaro Journal of Environmental Research & Development, 4(1), 103 – 118.
17. Olusanya, O. A.  &Ideh, D. A.  (2017). Diversification of the Nigerian economy: Creating a partnership between town and gown, Unilag Journal of Humanities, 4 (2), 50-64.
18. Orija, J.I. & Jolaade, I.A. (2019).  Relevance of office technology and management skills acquisition to national and manpower development. Nigerian Communication and Information Technology Journal, 1(1).
19. Suleiman, U. (2016).  Business education and entrepreneurship development. Journal of Educational Policy and Entrepreneurial Research, 3(7), 94-99.
20. Umoru, T.A. (2013). Values-based business education for empowerment, self-reliance and poverty reduction in Nigeria. Journal of Education, 3(4), 35-40.