AFRICA

Nigeria VP Shettima Calls For Action On Skills Development At NCS Inauguration

The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima has called upon members of the reconstituted National Council on Skills (NCS) to prioritise the development of a skilled workforce in Nigeria.

Addressing the council during its inauguration at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, Vice President Shettima outlined key strategies aimed at enhancing the nation’s skill base. These strategies include harmoniding skills development policies, fast-tracking the implementation of the National Skills Qualification Framework, establishing funding mechanisms, and advocating for professional certification.

“A skilled nation is one that has paved its road to the future,” Shettima said, acknowledging the challenges faced by the nation and the monumental tasks ahead for the NCS.

Highlighting the NCS’s pivotal role, Vice President Shettima emphasized its significance in providing policy direction for Nigeria’s skills ecosystem since its establishment in 2019.

The Vice President further announced the addition of two new members to the council – the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education, and the Chairman of the Committee of Sector Skill Councils in Nigeria. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing challenges head-on and supporting stakeholders in the skills ecosystem.

Pledging to address the lack of standardization and regulation hindering the sector’s potential, Shettima stated, “Central to this commitment is the recognition of the informal sector’s substantial contribution to our nation’s GDP. Our aim is to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of contributing to both national and international endeavours.”

Emphasizing the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as the fourth pillar in the administration’s action plan, Shettima urged council members to actively engage in discussions and collaborate to develop a comprehensive action plan.

“We must establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track our progress. May our deliberations be fruitful, and may we emerge stronger and more united in our resolve to uplift the skills landscape of our beloved nation,” he said.

During the third meeting of the council, government officials and stakeholders emphasized the urgency of bolstering skills development initiatives across various sectors. Led by the Minister of Education and first Vice Chairman of the Council, Prof. Tahir Mamman, discussions revolved around pivotal agendas such as the nationwide establishment of Skills Centres and the formulation of a comprehensive National Policy on Vocational Skills Development.

Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji, alongside Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, underscored the critical need for collaborative efforts to expedite skills training, particularly for artisans in crucial sectors like construction.

Addressing the Council, Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), shed light on the significance of legislative measures like the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Bill. Bugaje urged stakeholders to perceive skills development as a strategic tool not only for youth empowerment but also for economic diversification and industrialization.

Additionally, attending the meeting were Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; and a representative of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who serves as the second Vice Chairman of the Council. Also present were Abdullahi Mustapha, the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), and the Chairman of the Committee of Sector Skills Council. Representatives from the British Council and the Embassy of Morocco also participated in the discussions.

Other members present included representatives from various organizations such as the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA); the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA); and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi