Assessment of Information and Communication Technology Skills Among Vocational Education Students in Lagos State

This study assessed the level of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills among vocational education students in senior secondary schools in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. In an increasingly digital economy, ICT proficiency has become essential for students across all educational tracks, including vocational programmes. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and sampled 360 SS2 and SS3 students enrolled in vocational education streams across 15 schools in three educational districts of Lagos. A validated ICT Skills Assessment Checklist and a self-report questionnaire were used for data collection. Results indicated that basic skills such as word processing and internet browsing were reasonably developed among respondents, while more advanced competencies including spreadsheet management, graphic design, and digital communication were inadequate. The disparity between schools in urban and peri-urban areas was significant, reflecting unequal access to functional computer laboratories. The study recommends that the Lagos State Ministry of Education equip all vocational schools with a minimum standard computer laboratory, integrate ICT modules formally into the vocational education curriculum, and train teachers in digital pedagogy. Partnerships with telecommunications companies and technology startups can provide supplementary resources. These findings are particularly relevant to ongoing discussions about the future-proofing of vocational education in Nigeria's most populous state. Keywords: ICT skills, vocational education, Lagos State, digital literacy, secondary schools.