By Julius Peter

The Director-General and Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, has urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of government-sponsored skills acquisition programmes, stressing that vocational training, internationally recognised certification and access to business support are critical to reducing unemployment and driving industrial development.

Ogun gave the advice at the National Industrial Manpower Summit 2026, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Human Capital for Industrial Transformation: Building Skills, Driving Innovation and Creating Prosperity.”

He described this year’s summit and its associated skills development initiatives as outstanding, noting that the programme had improved considerably compared with previous editions and continued to demonstrate progress in preparing Nigerians for the demands of the modern economy.

The ITF boss encouraged young Nigerians to develop practical skills, monitor government announcements and register for relevant training opportunities whenever they become available, whether through online platforms or physical registration centres.

According to him, persistent criticism of government initiatives without efforts to participate could prevent many young people from benefiting from programmes designed to improve their livelihoods and economic prospects.

He urged youths to pay greater attention to announcements about employment, vocational training and empowerment opportunities rather than spending excessive time on social media complaining about the state of the country.

“Whenever you see a programme being announced for you by the government, trust the programme enough to find out what it offers and register if you are eligible. If the registration is online, go online and register. If it is physical, find out where it is taking place and participate,” he said.

Ogun maintained that young people should take ownership of their country’s development by actively participating in initiatives designed to equip them with relevant skills and improve their economic circumstances.

He, however, advised those who encountered problems with government programmes to report their grievances through the appropriate channels so that the issues could be investigated and addressed.

“This is your own country. Stand up and participate. It is not enough to keep complaining. If you have any problem, report it to the appropriate authorities so that it can be resolved,” he added.

The ITF director-general explained that the Federal Government was shifting its approach to vocational training from simply recording the number of people trained to ensuring that beneficiaries acquired verifiable competencies and qualifications that could improve their employment prospects.

He disclosed that following the training of more than 200,000 people, the government had introduced a more structured process involving digital registration, examinations and internationally recognised certification.

According to him, the initiative is intended to establish measurable standards for skills development and ensure that beneficiaries possess the practical competence required by employers and the wider economy.

Ogun explained that the certification process was designed to provide an independent assessment of trainees’ abilities rather than relying solely on attendance records or certificates issued after participation in training.

He noted that the examinations would be assessed independently by people outside the immediate circle of the trainees, thereby promoting credibility, transparency and confidence in the certification process.

He stressed that the government’s objective was to produce competent artisans and skilled workers who could contribute meaningfully to national productivity, rather than merely increasing the number of people enrolled in training programmes.

“The government wants quality, not just numbers and numbers. If we are able to certify even one person, train that person properly, empower them and ensure that they are competent, we know that the person can contribute to Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

Ogun observed that conventional training arrangements that end with attendance records or certificates of participation often fail to provide sufficient evidence of a trainee’s professional competence.

He said the new approach would help establish a system in which the skills acquired by trainees could be assessed, verified and recognised by employers, professional bodies and relevant international organisations.

The ITF chief executive added that combining credible local certification with internationally recognised qualifications would strengthen confidence in Nigerian artisans and improve their competitiveness in the labour market.

Ogun further disclosed that the Federal Government was working towards a system of artisan licensing and registration that would make it easier to identify skilled workers, verify their qualifications and connect them with potential customers.

He explained that creating a reliable database of artisans would help the country establish a more organised vocational workforce, improve accountability and discourage unprofessional practices in the delivery of technical services.

Under the proposed arrangement, qualified artisans would be registered and licensed, allowing their professional details to be documented and verified.

According to him, the system would also provide a platform for customers to assess artisans based on their skills, service records and reviews before engaging them.

He illustrated the concept with a digital marketplace similar to ride-hailing platforms, where customers could search for service providers in specific locations and choose based on available information and previous customer feedback.

“For instance, if you are looking for a plumber in Surulere, you should be able to go to the marketplace, see the plumbers available and choose one based on the reviews. This is practical,” he explained.

Ogun said the initiative would help customers make informed decisions while encouraging artisans to maintain professional standards because their performance and reputation would influence future business opportunities.

He added that a verifiable system of artisan registration and certification would also make it easier for the government to identify genuine beneficiaries of its empowerment programmes and direct support to those who had demonstrated the required competence.

The ITF boss said the proposed framework would go beyond training and certification by connecting qualified artisans to opportunities for business development, incubation, financing and other forms of government support.

He explained that artisans who successfully complete the required training and certification processes could become better positioned to access assistance, including business financing through the Bank of Industry (BOI), subject to applicable eligibility requirements.

According to him, the government intends to build a system in which skills development leads to practical economic opportunities, enabling beneficiaries to establish businesses, expand existing enterprises and create employment for others.

He said the approach would help ensure that public investment in vocational training translates into measurable economic benefits rather than ending with the issuance of certificates.

Ogun therefore urged young Nigerians to take skills acquisition seriously and prepare themselves to benefit from emerging opportunities in the country’s industrial and vocational sectors.

He emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend not only on the government’s commitment to providing training and support but also on the willingness of young people to participate actively and demonstrate dedication to their chosen trades.

“Once you hear the whistle, please jump at it. Take government programmes seriously. These opportunities are meant to help you develop your skills and improve your future,” he advised.

The ITF director-general also expressed appreciation for the award presented to him at the National Industrial Manpower Summit 2026, describing the recognition as a source of encouragement.

He noted that he was part of the summit’s organising leadership as a co-host and was pleased that his contributions to skills development and industrial manpower advancement had been acknowledged.

Ogun thanked the organisers for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen vocational training, develop Nigeria’s human capital and prepare young people for productive engagement in the economy.

The National Industrial Manpower Summit 2026 brought together stakeholders interested in skills development, industrialisation, innovation and human capital development.

Its theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Human Capital for Industrial Transformation: Building Skills, Driving Innovation and Creating Prosperity,” underscored the importance of equipping Nigerians with the practical knowledge and competencies needed to drive industrial growth and economic prosperity.

Ogun’s remarks reinforced the need for stronger collaboration between government, training institutions, industry stakeholders and young people to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the country’s present and future manpower requirements.

He maintained that a combination of quality training, credible certification, artisan regulation and access to business support could help transform vocational skills into sustainable livelihoods while strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.