National Council on Skills Ratifies NBTE, ITF Mandate Alignment to Drive Industrialisation
The National Council on Skills (NCS) has approved the alignment of the mandates of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) as part of efforts to strengthen skills development and support the Federal Government’s industrialisation agenda.
The Council also adopted the National Skills Observatory Platform as the foundation for evidence-based policy formulation and planning in Nigeria’s skills development sector.
These resolutions were reached at the 9th meeting of the National Council on Skills, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.
The Council further constituted a committee to review policy recommendations aimed at aligning Nigeria’s national skills development framework with the country’s industrialisation objectives.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Shettima stressed the need to align Nigeria’s training infrastructure with the needs of industry, noting that the new framework supports the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the Council’s deliberations were in line with President Tinubu’s directive to create more employment opportunities for young Nigerians through skills acquisition and vocational education.
According to him, the National Council on Skills has been repositioned under the current administration to deliver improved outcomes in skills development and workforce preparation.
He explained that the meeting focused on strengthening the National Skills Qualification Framework, streamlining the responsibilities of awarding bodies and enhancing the operations of sectoral skills councils.
Dr. Alausa also disclosed that discussions were held on the proposed partnership between the Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre in Kano and the Kano State Government to facilitate the eventual takeover of the facility by the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, said the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to accelerate industrialisation by strengthening vocational education and equipping young Nigerians with relevant technical and industrial skills.
He described the special skills programme introduced by the Tinubu administration as a key initiative for building a skilled workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s industrial growth.
On his part, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State commended the national skills initiative, describing it as one of the most impactful programmes introduced in recent years.
The governor highlighted various skills development initiatives currently being implemented in Jigawa State and praised the Federal Government for creating an enabling environment that allows states to expand opportunities for youth empowerment and employment.
The National Council on Skills is expected to continue implementing reforms aimed at strengthening technical education, improving workforce development and supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation through industrialisation.
National Council on Skills Ratifies NBTE, ITF Mandate Alignment to Drive Industrialisation