The Nigerian government has inaugurated the National Working Committee of WorldSkills Nigeria as part of efforts to promote skills development, vocational excellence, and global competitiveness among Nigerian youths.
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, stated that the initiative aims to ensure that skills acquired in Nigeria align with international best practices and the objectives of WorldSkills Nigeria.
Building Competitive Workforce
Dr. Alausa described the inauguration as a critical step towards building a globally competitive workforce and transforming the future of TVET in Nigeria.
He said the initiative represents “a bold national commitment to skills excellence, significance, and readiness to benchmark Nigeria’s skills development system against the highest global standards.”
According to him, the platform will equip young Nigerians with world-class competencies and position Nigeria as a leader in skills innovation in Africa and beyond.
“With the inauguration of WorldSkills Nigeria, we are opening a new chapter defined by opportunity, competitiveness, and national pride. Our youth will be inspired to develop a passion for skills and motivated to choose high-quality skills as a first-choice educational pathway,” the minister stated.
He noted that industries would benefit from a more agile workforce, while the country would gain through increased productivity, innovation, and economic growth.
Dr. Alausa commended stakeholders for laying what he described as a solid foundation for a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria, in line with the vision of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, I reaffirm our commitment to supporting WorldSkills Nigeria as a national flagship for skills development and youth empowerment,” he said.
Nigeria’s WorldSkills Journey
The minister recalled that Nigeria’s admission into WorldSkills International in August 2024 was the culmination of over a decade of sustained effort, collaboration, and institutional resilience.
He explained that since 2013, Nigeria had actively pursued membership by engaging global partners, strengthening national structures, and aligning its skills ecosystem with international standards.
“These achievements reflect the collective efforts of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), federal and state TVET agencies, sector skills councils, industry partners, and other stakeholders,” he said, adding that WorldSkills Nigeria represents more than just membership in a global organisation.
WorldSkills and TVET Integration
Speaking at the event, a representative of WorldSkills Nigeria, Mrs. Yemisi Akirinade, said WorldSkills International sets global standards for TVET benchmarking, teacher capacity building, research, and skills development.
She explained that TVET differs from purely academic education due to its strong multi-sectoral nature, requiring close collaboration between education providers and industry.
“WorldSkills sits at the intersection of education, the economy, and industry. Countries with weak linkages in this nexus often struggle economically. WorldSkills Nigeria is designed to strengthen these linkages and drive a skills-based economy,” she said.
Mrs. Akirinade noted that although TVET implementation comes with challenges, it remains a powerful tool for national development, especially as countries increasingly compete based on skills.
NBTE, Committee Assurances
Executive Secretary of the NBTE and Vice Chairman of the committee, Professor Idris Bugaje, said committee members were drawn from the core of Nigeria’s skills ecosystem, including academia, industry, training institutions, and consultants.
He particularly acknowledged Mrs. Akirinade for her role in Nigeria’s decade-long journey to gaining WorldSkills membership.
“It was an audacious journey that lasted more than ten years. At the time Nigeria was admitted into WorldSkills International in November 2024, NBTE did not even have the €4,000 membership fee. Mrs. Akirinade paid it, and we reimbursed her later,” he disclosed.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the committee, Engineer S. M. Yusufu assured that members would work diligently to meet expectations and called for increased visibility for WorldSkills Nigeria.
“We are grateful for this opportunity and propose a national launch of WorldSkills Nigeria to raise awareness and engagement,” he said.
Committee Membership
The committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, with the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Bugaje, serving as Vice Chairman.
Other members include representatives of the Dangote Foundation, WorldSkills Nigeria, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and Dr. Ahmadu Ali Usman representing the Committee of Heads of Technical Colleges (COHTEC).