Patience Makwele
The Oshana region produced more than 3 000 graduates during the 2025/26 financial year, a milestone regional leaders say reflects growing investment in higher education and skills development.
Presenting the State of the Region Address (SORA) on Monday, Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge said tertiary and vocational institutions operating in the region produced a total of 3 010 graduates during the reporting period.
The graduates came from institutions including the University of Namibia (UNAM), the International University of Management (IUM), Welwitschia Health Training Centre and Valombola Vocational Training Centre.
Iipinge said the figures strengthen Oshana’s position as a leading education and skills development hub in northern Namibia.
“The region continues to consolidate its position as a leading centre for higher education and skills development in northern Namibia,” he said.
Beyond tertiary education, more than 2 500 residents acquired practical skills through community learning and non-formal education programmes, while public libraries recorded more than 124 000 visits and over 1 000 people received information and communication technology (ICT) training.
Adult literacy programmes also enrolled more than 1 500 learners during the period under review.
At the vocational level, Valombola Vocational Training Centre expanded its training offering with accredited programmes in ICT, water supply and sanitation, hospitality and tourism, plumbing, office administration and metal application.
The centre also strengthened partnerships with industry, resulting in workplace training opportunities for dozens of trainees.
Iipinge said skills development remains critical in addressing unemployment and ensuring young people are equipped to participate meaningfully in the economy.
The region further benefited from scholarship, internship and apprenticeship programmes supported by both public and private sector institutions.
The Social Security Commission invested more than N$5 million in scholarships and vocational training opportunities, while local authorities and other stakeholders continued to provide internship placements to graduates seeking workplace experience.
While the figures point to growing educational opportunities, some young people say the challenge now is ensuring graduates can translate their qualifications into meaningful employment.
A recent graduate from Oshakati welcomed the region’s investment in education, saying the number of graduates reflects the determination of young people to improve their futures.
“Many young people are working hard to qualify themselves, but after graduation the next challenge becomes finding opportunities to gain experience and enter the job market,” the graduate said.
Entrepreneur Namesho Popiyeni Lucas said education and skills development are important, but more support is needed to help young people build businesses and create jobs.
“We do not want handouts. We want an environment where small businesses can survive and grow. Many young people have ideas and the willingness to work, but the barriers to entry are simply too high,” he said.
Another unemployed graduate said many young people remain frustrated by the gap between obtaining qualifications and securing employment.
“We are seeing more graduates every year, which is a positive thing, but opportunities are not growing at the same pace. Young people want to contribute, but many are still waiting for a chance,” the graduate said.
Iipinge acknowledged that youth unemployment remains one of the region’s biggest challenges despite ongoing investments in education, entrepreneurship and skills development programmes.
He said the government would continue prioritising education, training and youth empowerment initiatives as part of broader efforts to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting economic growth and development.
“The investments we make in education, healthcare, skills development, youth empowerment, sport and culture are investments in our future,” he said.
