By Omoyeni Ojeifo
To enhance technical expertise and position Nigeria’s workforce on the global stage, the Federal Government has launched a new initiative to equip selected master artisans and trainers with internationally recognized qualifications.
The rollout begins with an eight-week Train-the-Trainer program organized by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
This intensive course aims to produce certified trainers and assessors who will drive technical and vocational skill development across the nation.
Announcing the launch during a press briefing at the agency’s Abuja headquarters on Monday covered by Persecondnews, ITF Director-General Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun emphasized that the initiative will play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s national technical capacity.
He said the initiative marks a shift from conventional skills training to internationally recognised certification aimed at raising Nigerian artisans and technicians to global standards.
According to Ogun, the programme has 100 participants, comprising 80 ITF instructors and 20 master artisans selected from across Nigeria to undergo the intensive eight-week Train-the-Trainer 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,” he explained.
Ogun said participants would graduate with qualifications that would enable them to train others and assess technical workers in industries nationwide.
“After this training, you are going to have three qualifications a Trade Level 3 certification, a Teaching and Training certification, and an Assessor certification that will enable you to train, assess and certify other artisans.”
He said the programme would commence in Abuja before being expanded to every part of the country.
“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.”
The ITF Director-General added that upgrading training facilities remained critical to achieving the programme’s objectives.
He told newsmen: “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.”
Also speaking, the Director of Special Duties at the ITF, Mr K.S, Alakija, described the initiative as a milestone capable of transforming technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
“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.”
On his part, Chief Executive Officer of ASQ and Lead Consultant, Samson Adeosun, said the programme would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign skilled workers by producing internationally certified artisans.
“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,” he said.
According to Adeosu, 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.”
British training consultant James Young also expressed confidence that participants would maximise the opportunity to acquire practical skills and transfer knowledge to others.
“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.”
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Mukhtar Oloriegbe thanked the ITF management and the international consultants for the opportunity to participate in 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.”
Persecondnews reports that the event concluded with a guided tour of the training facilities, where participants and invited guests were shown the equipment and workshops that will support the eight-week practical and certification-based training programme.