The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Bamanga Jada, has emphasized the crucial role of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in converting Nigeria's growing population into productive human capital. With a population of 240 million, projected to rise to 450 million by 2050, Jada stressed that sustainable industrialization and economic development require stronger investment in agriculture, skills development, and technical education. He made these remarks in Jos at the ITF's 55th anniversary celebration and three years in office of its Director-General, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun.
Jada described the ITF as one of Nigeria's most critical agencies, driving industrialization and economic growth through skills development. He commended Ogun for transforming the Fund, particularly the ITF Centre of Excellence in Jos, which he described as a state-of-the-art, world-class facility. Jada also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration for policies encouraging investment, industrialization, and job creation, citing growing refining capacity and major industrial investments as evidence of the government's success.
According to Jada, Nigeria's greatest resource is not its oil and gas but its human capital. He emphasized the need to convert the population into productive human capital, stressing that this can be achieved through the ITF's skills development initiatives. The OGFZA boss also commended the ITF's efforts in developing skills required to drive industrialization and economic growth.
Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, ITF Director-General, reported that the Fund had expanded its reach, strengthened partnerships, and introduced global standards in vocational education and skills certification over the past three years. He mentioned the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme, which had trained hundreds of thousands of artisans, with a target of 200,000 more in 2026. Ogun also stated that over 7,000 artisans had undergone international certification examinations.
Ogun highlighted the ITF's Talent Export, Industry Placement, and Business Incubation pathways, which provide beneficiaries with sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. He also mentioned that the Fund had assessed 1,308 training centers nationwide, approving 776, and expanded partnerships with international institutions and local organizations. These efforts have increased opportunities for Nigerian artisans and trainees.
The ITF boss reported that the Fund had improved staff welfare, modernized infrastructure, and strengthened quality assurance systems. He also mentioned the establishment of the WorldSkills Academy in Abuja and Nigeria's admission as the 83rd member of WorldSkills International, positioning the country more strongly on the global skills map.
The ITF's 55th anniversary celebration and three years in office of its Director-General marked a significant milestone for the organization. Jada's remarks emphasized the critical role of the ITF in Nigeria's future, while Ogun's report highlighted the Fund's achievements and efforts to address the country's skills gap and promote economic growth.
Key points
- Nigeria needs to convert its 240 million population into productive human capital to drive sustainable industrialization and economic development.
- The ITF has expanded its reach and introduced global standards in vocational education and skills certification over the past three years.
- The Skill-Up Artisans programme has trained hundreds of thousands of artisans, with a target of 200,000 more in 2026.
