The Industrial Training Fund has called for stronger private sector participation in Nigeria’s Sector Skills Councils to align skills development with industry demands and improve productivity.
The Director-General of the ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, made the call at the second National Sector Skills Councils’ Meeting held at the ITF Skills House in Abuja, with representatives of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) attending as international observers.
Ogun said the meeting was part of the fund’s sustained efforts to strengthen the relevance, governance, industry participation and sustainability of the Sector Skills Councils, adding that the initiative was aimed at addressing gaps identified during the maiden edition.
He said the first meeting produced an agreement on a baseline assessment to determine the existing capacities, challenges and opportunities of the councils, noting that the current engagement was designed to translate the findings into practical reforms.
“Today, we move from assessment to action. The objective is not change for its own sake or to diminish the contributions of existing councils, but to build on their structures and experience, address identified gaps and establish a credible pathway towards stronger, genuinely industry-led and sustainable Sector Skills Councils,” he said.
The ITF boss stressed that employers and industry associations must take ownership of the process by determining skills priorities, developing occupational standards, supporting workplace learning and contributing to sustainable funding.
He urged training institutions, government agencies and development partners to complement the efforts of the private sector, adding that the discussions should produce clear responsibilities, measurable targets, timelines and practical support mechanisms.
Presentations were made by representatives of the Hospitality and Tourism, Creative Media, Building, Automotive, Oil and Gas, Power, Care, Education and Training, Agriculture and Traditional Medicine Sector Skills Councils, as well as the Geriatric Skills sector.
In their separate remarks, representatives of the councils, including Dr Bukola Dosumun of Care, Education and Training, Dr Samson Opaoluwah of Building and Nnaemeka Ude-Emeh of Oil and Gas, commended the ITF for its efforts to reposition the councils.
They called for sustained support from relevant stakeholders, saying effective Sector Skills Councils would contribute significantly to Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic development.
Also speaking, a GIZ Lead Expert, Mr Jonathan Osadolon, identified employer-led training as a critical factor in achieving the objectives of the councils and pledged the organisation’s technical and capacity-building support to the ITF in strengthening the initiative.
