The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) recently held the second edition of its National Sector Skills Councils’ Meeting in Abuja, with the theme “From Assessment To Action: Advancing The Transition To Industry-led And Sustainable Sector Skills Councils.” The meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from Sector Skills Councils, government agencies, and international organizations such as the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).
The Director General of ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, declared the meeting open and emphasized the need to strengthen the relevance, governance, industry participation, and sustainability of Sector Skills Councils. He stated that the ITF would continue to initiate conversations on this issue, building on the outcomes of the maiden edition of the meeting, which focused on a baseline assessment process to establish a clearer understanding of current capacities, challenges, and opportunities of existing Sector Skills Councils.
According to Dr. Ogun, the objective of the meeting was to move from assessment to action, with a focus on building on existing structures and experience, addressing identified gaps, and establishing a credible pathway towards stronger, genuinely industry-led and sustainable Sector Skills Councils. He stressed that the industry must have meaningful ownership, with employers and industry associations defining skills priorities, shaping occupational standards, supporting workplace learning, and contributing to sustainable financing.
Dr. Ogun called on training institutions, government, and development partners to play complementary roles within a coordinated national skills ecosystem. He emphasized that the baseline assessment is a tool for informed decision-making, not an end in itself, and encouraged delegates to approach the process with openness, candour, and a shared commitment to Nigeria’s industrial development.
Representatives from various Sector Skills Councils, including Hospitality and Tourism, Creative Media, Building, Automotive, Oil and Gas, Power, Care, Education and Training, Agriculture, Traditional Medicine, and Geriatric, made presentations at the meeting. Some representatives, such as Dr. Bukola Dosumun from Care, Education and Training, Dr. Samson Opaoluwah from Building, and Mr. Nnaemeka Ude-Emeh from Oil and Gas, commended the ITF for its efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s Sector Skills Councils.
An expert from GIZ, Mr. Jonathan Osadolor, identified employers’ reflective training as key towards actualizing the aims and objectives of Sector Skills Councils. He promised the organization’s capacity and technical support to ITF towards repositioning Nigeria’s Sector Skills Councils for national industrial and economic development. The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to identify what needs to happen next, who is responsible, and within what timeframe.
The ITF’s efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s Sector Skills Councils aim to ensure national industrial and economic development through the nation’s Sector Skills Councils. The meeting concluded with a call for the support of all stakeholders towards actualizing ITF’s objectives. Key stakeholders are expected to work together to strengthen the connection between skills development, industry demand, employability, and productivity.
Key points
- ITF holds second National Sector Skills Councils’ Meeting to advance transition to industry-led and sustainable Sector Skills Councils.
- Meeting aims to build on existing structures and experience, address identified gaps, and establish a credible pathway towards stronger Sector Skills Councils.
- Stakeholders call for support towards actualizing ITF’s objectives for national industrial and economic development.
