FG inaugurates national working committee to drive TVET initiative

The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Working Committee (NWC) for WorldSkills Nigeria to serve as a catalyst and support a coordinated approach to developing a demand-driven and competency-based Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in the country.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, inaugurated the chair, which was established by the Minister of State for Education, on Wednesday in Abuja, following the admission of Nigeria as the 89th member of the WorldSkills International (WSI).

WorldSkills International, founded over 75 years ago, is a global hub for skills excellence and development and a movement that empowers young people to change their worlds through the power of skills.

Alausa said the milestone initiative signals Nigeria’s renewed national commitment to reposition skills development and TVET as engines of industrialisation, economic growth and global competitiveness.

He said Nigeria’s membership of WorldSkills International marks a journey towards building a globally competitive workforce and transforming the future of technical and vocational education and training in Nigeria.

He added that the admission of Nigeria into the WorldSkills International in August of 2024 was a culmination of more than a decade of unwavering commitment, strategic collaboration and institutional resilience, saying that since 2013, Nigeria has pursued the goal with determination, engaging global partners and aligning a TVET ecosystem with international best practices.

The Minister noted that while the Committee would work towards national launch, the inauguration of the World Skills, Nigeria, would open a new chapter, one defined by opportunity, competitiveness and national pride.

“Through this platform, our youth will be inspired to develop a passion for skills and motivated to choose high-quality skills as their first choice of educational option, industries will benefit from a stronger, more agile workforce, and the nation will benefit from enhanced productivity, innovation and economic growth,” he said.

The 14-member National Working Committee, which has Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed as the chairperson, has the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje as Vice-Chairman and President Dangote Foundation representing the private sector as a member.

A member of the Committee, Mrs Yemisi Akinrinade, said that with over 89 member countries and regions, WorldSkills reaches nearly two-thirds of the world’s population, creating a measurable impact.