By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has launched a new initiative to equip selected master artisans and trainers with internationally recognised qualifications aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s technical workforce and enhancing its global competitiveness.
The initiative commenced with an intensive eight-week Train-the-Trainer programme designed to produce certified trainers and assessors capable of driving technical and vocational skills development across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing at the ITF headquarters in Abuja on Monday, which was covered by Standard Times Nigeria Newspaper, the ITF Director-General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the programme marked a major shift from conventional skills training to internationally recognised certification.
Ogun said the initiative would strengthen Nigeria’s national technical capacity by raising the standard of Nigerian artisans and technicians to global levels.
According to him, 100 participants, comprising 80 ITF instructors and 20 master artisans selected from across the country, are taking part in the eight-week programme.
“We are not just giving certificates of participation. We are giving international certification that participants can take anywhere in the world, ensuring Nigerian artisans are recognised globally and compete successfully with their counterparts in other countries,” Ogun said.
He explained that participants would graduate with three key qualifications: Trade Level 3 Certification, Teaching and Training Certification, and Assessor Certification, which would enable them to train, assess and certify other technical workers.
Ogun said the programme, which is beginning in Abuja, would subsequently be replicated across the six geopolitical zones to expand access to internationally recognised technical and vocational training.
“We are starting from Abuja, but we are not stopping here. We are going to replicate this programme across the six geopolitical zones so more Nigerian artisans and technicians can benefit from internationally recognised training,” he said.
The ITF Director-General also stressed the importance of upgrading training infrastructure, noting that adequate facilities and modern equipment were essential to producing globally competitive artisans and technicians.
He disclosed that the ITF was working with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to upgrade training rooms and facilities.
“We are working with the Bank of Industry to upgrade training rooms and facilities because without the right equipment and environment, efforts to produce globally competitive artisans and technicians will not achieve the desired results,” Ogun said.
Also speaking, the ITF Director of Special Duties, Mr. K.S. Alakija, described the initiative as a major milestone capable of transforming technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
He said the programme would equip trainers with practical skills and knowledge capable of transforming livelihoods and creating opportunities for future generations.
“This journey may have just begun, but I believe it will change the face of artisanal practice in Nigeria by equipping trainers with practical skills and knowledge that will transform lives, livelihoods and future generations,” Alakija said.
The Chief Executive Officer of ASQ and Lead Consultant, Samson Adeosun, said the programme would help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign skilled workers by producing artisans whose competencies could be verified against international standards.
“Our aim is to stop importing skilled tradesmen from neighbouring countries.
They are not better than us.The difference is access to information, internationally recognised standards, modern training methods and the right tools,” Adeosun said.
He added that the participants would become pioneers of internationally recognised technical and vocational certification in Nigeria.
“You will be the first group to earn some of these internationally verifiable qualifications, enabling you to train people anywhere in the world while demonstrating your competence through globally recognised certifications that employers can verify online,” he said.
Meanwhile, a British training consultant, James Young, urged the participants to take full advantage of the opportunity, saying the programme had provided them with the resources, tools and equipment required to acquire and transfer practical skills.
“We have been given the resources, the tools and the equipment. What we need now is your commitment, and we will equip you with skills that you can pass on to others across different trades,” Young said.
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Mukhtar Oloriegbe expressed appreciation to the ITF management and international consultants for the opportunity, pledging the participants’ commitment to the programme.
“We appreciate this opportunity and assure the Federal Government, ITF and our trainers that we will remain committed throughout the programme, apply everything we learn and will not let the government down,” he said.
A Standard Times Nigeria Newspaper correspondent in Abuja reports that the event ended with a guided tour of the ITF training facilities, where participants and invited guests inspected the equipment and workshops that will support the eight-week practical and certification-based programme.
