Shettima Calls For Synergy To Drive Skills Development

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for stronger synergy among stakeholders in the public and private sectors to effectively drive Nigeria’s aspirations in skills development.

In a statement, his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, noted that Nigeria can best maximise the demographic dividends accruable to it if the workforce and the youth are adequately skilled in critical sectors of the economy.

These were the outcomes of the 5th meeting of the National Council on Skills, chaired by the vice president in Abuja on Wednesday.

“We know that isolated programmes, no matter how well-intentioned, cannot substitute for a unified national strategy; that is why this council’s work remains indispensable. There are challenges, but we can conquer them if we act with unity, urgency, and foresight,” Senator Shettima stated while chairing the meeting.

The council also deliberated on strategies for advancing Nigeria’s skills landscape and ensuring alignment with the 8-point agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, even as it commended the proposed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scheduled for unveiling on May 16, 2025.

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The council urged improved consultations with sister ministries and departments regarding the initiative, emphasising the need to prioritise digital skills training, especially among youths.
It reiterated its commitment to ensuring coherence in skills development policies, monitoring implementation effectively, and adapting strategies to meet emerging labour market trends.

The body also approved the adoption of National Skills Qualification (NSQ) certifications for skills training centres across MDAs, the 36 states of the federation, and the private sector, acknowledging the crucial role of the private sector in skills development in the country.

The ministers of education, youth development, communications and digital economy, industry trade and investment, works and women affairs, representatives of state governments, heads of agencies, the organised private sector, and development partners were present at the meeting.