Nigeria Unifies Skills Development, Resolves ITF-NBTE Rivalry

The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally ended the rivalry between the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), establishing a unified framework for skills development. This resolution was announced during a joint media briefing in Abuja by ITF Director General Prof.

Idris Bugaj and NBTE Executive Secretary Afiz Ogun. The agreement delineates the responsibilities of each agency, with the ITF focusing on regulating formal technical and vocational education institutions, while the NBTE will limit its role to educational institutions.

This collaboration aims to create a coordinated national skill ecosystem, addressing concerns about overlapping mandates and enhancing the Nigerian Skill Qualification Framework. The ITF will also establish a WorldSkills Academy in Abuja to provide world-class training for instructors and master craftsmen.

Additionally, the agreement includes promoting Nigeria's skill certification alongside international qualifications, enabling Nigerian artisans to compete globally. Both agencies expressed optimism about improving the skill ecosystem to meet local and international demands.