Vice President Shettima Highlights Need To Develop Nigeria’s Skilled Workforce

Nigeria's vice president Kashim Shettima has urged the reconstituted National Council members to focus on skilled workforce development in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the National Council on Skills (NCS) on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, the president highlighted the importance of enhancing the nation's skill base to improve the economy.

He outlined that the key strategies of the administration were harmonizing skills development policies, fast-tracking the implementation of the National Skills Qualification Framework, establishing funding mechanisms and advocating for professional certification.

"A skilled nation is one that has paved its road to the future," Shettima said, Punch reported.

The vice president went on to share the NCS's role in developing a skill-based workforce in the country, saying, "Since its inception in 2019, the National Council on Skills has emerged as a pivotal force in providing policy direction for our skills ecosystem."

During the event, he also announced two new members of the council -- the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education, and the Chairman of the Committee of Sector Skill Councils in Nigeria.

"This underscores our commitment to addressing challenges head-on," Shettima explained, noting that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is supporting everyone involved in the skills ecosystem.

He added, "Central to this commitment is the recognition of the informal sector's substantial contribution to our nation's GDP. Our aim is to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of contributing to both national and international endeavors."

The vice president also emphasized the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), stressing that they are the fourth pillar in the administration's action plan.

He suggested the council members engage in discussions and collaborate to develop an action plan, noting that the council should work towards establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the progress.

"May our deliberations be fruitful, and may we emerge stronger and more united in our resolve to uplift the skills landscape of our beloved nation," he added.

During the third meeting of the council, government officials and stakeholders mentioned the urgency of developing skills in people across various sectors. The meeting was led by Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education and first Vice Chairman of the Council.