The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Working Committee (NWC) for WorldSkills Nigeria to promote a coordinated, demand-driven and competency-based Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, carried out the inauguration on Wednesday in Abuja, following Nigeria’s admission as the 89th member of WorldSkills International (WSI). The committee was established by the Minister of State for Education.
WorldSkills International, founded over 75 years ago, is a global platform for skills excellence that empowers young people to transform their communities through technical and vocational skills development.
Alausa described the inauguration as a major milestone that reflects Nigeria’s renewed commitment to repositioning skills development and TVET as key drivers of industrialisation, economic growth and global competitiveness.
He said Nigeria’s membership of WorldSkills International represents an important step towards building a globally competitive workforce and reshaping the future of technical and vocational education and training in the country.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s admission into WorldSkills International in August 2024 was the result of more than a decade of sustained effort, strategic collaboration and institutional resilience. He explained that since 2013, the country has consistently engaged global partners while aligning its TVET ecosystem with international best practices.
The minister noted that while the committee will focus on preparations for the national launch of WorldSkills Nigeria, its inauguration marks the beginning of a new chapter defined by opportunity, competitiveness and national pride.
He added that the initiative would inspire young Nigerians to develop a strong interest in skills acquisition, provide industries with a more agile and competent workforce, and enhance national productivity, innovation and economic growth.
The 14-member National Working Committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, with the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, serving as Vice-Chairman. The committee also includes representatives from the private sector, including the Dangote Foundation.
A member of the committee, Mrs Yemisi Akinrinade, said WorldSkills International, with over 89 member countries and regions, reaches nearly two-thirds of the world’s population and continues to deliver measurable impact in skills development globally.
