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ITF Unveils 2022 – 2025 Strategic Policy Direction For Vocational Skills Program
The Industrial Training Fund formally unveil our strategic policy direction for 2022 – 2025.
This is contained in a statement issued to Journalists by the Director-general/Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund, Sir Joseph Ari, at a media briefing in Jos, Monday. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
According to the ITF Boss, “This Strategic Policy Direction is the third of such plans by the incumbent administration in the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). You will recall that on assumption of office in 2016, we unveiled the ITF Reviewed Vision: Strategies for Mandate Actualization.”
“The plan, which was initially slated to terminate in 2022, was, however, reviewed in 2020 to address gaps that were identified in the course of its implementation, and for us to appropriately respond to the negative impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our numerous clients.”
He reiterated that, ”While it lasted, the plan enabled the ITF to aggressively address service challenges by computerizing our operations, tackling infrastructural challenges to expand access to Nigerians desirous of acquiring skills, and generally address a gamut of other strictures that were impinging on our ability to effectively discharge our mandate for National economic growth and development and the general good of the Nigerian people.”
He however, lamented that, “Despite the numerous achievements recorded by the Fund on account of these initiatives, we have realized that more needs to be done if we must fully tackle the numerous socio-economic problems that are bedevilling us as a Nation.”
He further stated that, “given the nature of your profession, you should be acutely aware that unemployment in Nigeria today is at over 33% as over 23 million Nigerians that are desirous to work cannot find jobs, mostly because of the absence of requisite skills.
“Poverty is equally on the rise with some estimates placing the number of Nigerians that are living in poverty to be over 90 million. In the face of all these, our population has continued to soar with the World Bank estimating that Nigeria might hit 216 million by the end of this year.
“Equally worrisome is the spectre of the Out of School Children, which according to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is projected to be over 18.5 million.”
“It is based on the above and in line with our mandate of Developing a vast pool of skilled manpower sufficient to meet the needs of the public and private sectors of the national economy coupled with resolutions at the recently concluded ITF National Skills Summit in Abuja that we found it imperative to review and refocus our strategies to address the above challenges and to meet the skills requirement of the nation in line with global best practices.
“In arriving at our strategies, we considered the need to scale up our activities to address the soaring unemployment and other socio-economic challenges by leveraging on our three Es (Experience, Expertise and Expansive network), deployment of technology for wider coverage and more flexible service delivery.”, Ari explained.
The new policy framework, which has as its theme: Re-Engineering Skills for Sustainable Development according to Ari, has external and internal components;
The ITF Boss further said that, “The internal components of the plan, which entail value reorientation, Industrial Development, Commercialization of ITF Facilities, Alternative Funding Window, Deployment and Promotion, Annual Budget Preparation and, Revenue Generation are intended to drive the external components of the new policy direction, which covers Standardization and Certification, Technical and Vocational Skills Training Programmes, Skills Intervention Programmes, Electronic and Virtual Learning and, Optimal Utilization of Skills Training Centres (STCs) and Vocational Wings (VWs). ”
According to him, he further revealed that, ”Standardization and Certification as the core aspects of the Mandate of the Industrial Training Fund, specifically, Section 2 subsections c and d of the ITF Act 2011, vest the ITF with the responsibility to set training standards in all sectors of the economy and monitor adherence; and evaluate and certify vocational skills acquired by apprentices, craftsmen and technicians in collaboration with relevant organisations.
In this area, the Fund will focus on ensuring full adherence to standards and regulating vocational skills training outfits through the accreditation of skills training centres and certification of all skills training in line with the Act.”
To actualise this, he said that, “the Fund will develop National Occupational Standards (NOS); Evaluate and certify apprentices, technicians and craftsmen; Train and certify learning and development professionals and; Create and maintain a data bank on skills training.”
Another key area of the Fund’s mandate, the ITF Boss said, “is the Technical and Vocational Skills programmes.
”Despite our commendable achievements in this regard, the Fund is set to refocus Technical and Vocational Skills Training for employability and economic growth by facilitating the institutionalization of the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System (NATS).
”To actualize this, the Fund will collaborate with relevant public and private stakeholders for NATS; appraise and harmonize Apprenticeship programmes in line with set guidelines; conduct monitoring and evaluation and; design and develop technical and vocational skills programmes in line with the needs of the economy.
Saying that, “When fully in place, our plan will ensure a pool of highly skilled indigenous apprentices, technicians and craftsmen as well as an institutionalized National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System (NATS). ”
”Cognisant of the fact that technical skills are integral to the growth and development of societies across the globe, the incumbent management since its assumption of office in 2016, has been committed to equipping Nigerians with technical and vocational skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
”In this regard, to further address the problems of rising unemployment and under-employment, the Fund is re-engineering its skills intervention programmes through National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System (NATS).
”To achieve this, the Fund will register as a super certification centre; extend the duration of skills intervention programmes in line with NATS (six months for traineeship and one year for apprenticeship); procure and provide start-up packs for trainees in the succeeding year; design and develop skills intervention programmes; identify and engage accredited Skills Training Centres and certified craftsmen; implement, monitor and follow up intervention programmes and; evaluate and certify trainees.
“The intended outcome of this strategy is to have at least a total of 27,000 skilled and employable youths (18,000 trained youths under the NATS and 9,000 youth under the NISDP and other intervention programmes) and increased SMEs and Entrepreneurs to meet the Nation’s economic needs.”
“In this area, the Fund will provide the enabling environment to foster creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and employability through its skills training centres by:
“Upgrading three of its skills training centres to Centres for Advanced Skills Training for Employment (CASTE)
“Embedding production Hubs, Skills/e-Hubs as well as creative and innovative hubs in its Skills training Centres and Vocational wings and,
“Utilizing existing skills training Centres to develop the capacity of technical instructors.
“In this regard, the Fund will equip Training Centres with state-of-the-art facilities, partner with relevant stakeholders for training placement as well as identify the competitive advantage of the centres for production purposes. We will also introduce instructors’ training in three (3) designated Skills Training Centres, advertise and deploy the Centre’s facilities and equipment for commercial use, engage trainees in the design and development of products and establish creative and innovative clinics. In addition, it will develop entrepreneurs and rename all Industrial Skills Training Centres as ITF Skills Training Centres (ITF STCs).
“With this strategy, we will now have three (3) Centres for Advanced Skills Training for Employment (CASTE) in Lagos, Kano and Jos as well as well-equipped training centres and vocational wings; train 450 Instructors annually; maximize investment and improve our revenue base.
“We believe that the new Policy framework if fully implemented will place us in better stead to fully implement our mandate and drive the achievement of Federal Government’s goals with particular reference to unemployment, poverty and their associated consequences.
“Our belief is premised on the fact that countries all over the world that had dealt with and have successfully solved the problems that we are currently confronting today, did it through a greater commitment to skills acquisition.
“For instance, to handle its youth bulge in the 70s and 80s, China under the leadership of Mao Zedong, Hua Guofeng and Zhao Ziyang who ruled the country during that period, invested heavily in the capacity development of its people. The outcome of this investment is evident today as China has moved from near third world to the 2nd largest economy and one of the most industrialised countries on earth.
“In Germany, about two decades ago, there was mass unemployment with roughly five million unemployed people and low employment rates to the extent that it was labelled “the sick man in Europe”.
“Today, nearly two-thirds of young Germans are enrolled in apprenticeships once they leave full-time education using the German Dual Vocational and educational training (DVT), nine out of ten young trainees get a permanent job at the end, with others being offered shorter-term contracts.
“Germany is now dubbed a job wonderland and European champion with regard to its high employment rates. We believe that we can replicate similar successes in Nigeria giving greater commitment to skills acquisition that is considered by many today as the currency of the 21st Century.”
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New Year: Gov Ododo Calls for Unity, Commitment to Security of Lives, Properties
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state has called for Unity of the people in complementing government’s efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.
The Governor also solicited people’s support through hard work, and sustained patriotism as his administration intensifies efforts to deliver people-oriented governance.
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Ododo who made the call in his New Year message to the people of the state, thanked Almighty God for protection and guidance throughout the past year, noting that the period tested the resilience of the people but also strengthened their collective resolve.
The Governor said that despite challenges, the state recorded modest but significant gains across key sectors, including security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and youth and women empowerment, attributing the progress to discipline, unity of purpose, and the cooperation of citizens.
According to him, the New Year presents renewed hope and a stronger resolve by his administration to do more through prudent resource management, inclusive governance, and policies aimed at improving the quality of life of the people, expanding opportunities for youths, empowering women, and strengthening the state’s economy.
Governor Ododo reaffirmed that security remains a top priority of his government, assuring residents of deeper collaboration with security agencies and community stakeholders to sustain peace across the state, stressing that meaningful development can only thrive in a secure environment.
He called on all Kogites to continue to reject division and embrace cooperation, describing the state’s diversity as a strength that must be harnessed to build a Kogi that works for everyone, both in urban and rural communities.
Reiterating his pledge to serve with integrity, transparency, and compassion, the Governor expressed optimism that the New Year would usher in shared prosperity and greater accomplishments for the state.
Governor Ododo also urged continued support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the President’s reforms have strengthened the economy and expanded resources available to sub-national governments for development.
He wished the people of Kogi State a peaceful, prosperous, and fulfilling New Year, while praying for continued progress for the state and the nation.
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One Community, One Honour: Item Okpi Kingdom Celebrates Prof. Arunma Oteh’s Global Legacy
By Abdulrahman Aliagan,
The ancient town of Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State was agog on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, as the Item Development Association (IDA) Incorporated trustees hosted the 2025 Item Day Celebration, a historic edition specially designed to honour a single, outstanding personality — Chief, Prof.
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The celebration, held at the playground of Akanu Item Primary School, Akanu Item, was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, clergy, captains of industry and sons and daughters of Item from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
Themed “Building a Greater Item Through Collective Action: The Work Continues,” the 2025 Item Day marked a significant departure from previous editions that featured multiple awardees. This year’s event was deliberately structured around a single award and traditional honour, in recognition of Prof. Oteh’s exceptional contributions to the growth and development of Abia State, Nigeria, Africa and the global community.
A major highlight of the event was a Grand Civic Reception in honour of the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, whose presence further underscored the importance of the occasion.
At the ceremony, the Item Development Association formally presented the Item Grand Merit Award to Chief Arunma Oteh, OON, describing her as a worthy daughter of the soil whose global achievements have brought immense honour to Item Okpi Ancient Kingdom, Abia State and Nigeria at large.
The award plaque cited her “distinguished leadership and transformative contributions to global development and in appreciation of the great honour this has brought to our community.”
Prof. Oteh was also specially celebrated for her consistent role as a global ambassador of the Amaba-Ukwu Item community, projecting its image positively across international platforms. This singular contribution, the organisers noted, was a key reason she was singled out for the prestigious award.
The event was chaired by Chief Ojay Obasi Eke (Udoka), with Chief Chukwuemeka Ogwo, MBA (Ugwuchukwuemere I of Item) serving as Co-Chairman.
Other dignitaries present were Hon. Dr. Ibekwe Nnamdi Chimdi, Member representing Bende North Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly; Hon. Okwu Ukoha, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly; and Hon. Uwabunike Bassey, Executive Chairman (Mayor) of Bende LGA.
Traditional blessings were led by the Royal Father of the Day, HRH Eze Jerry Akpala Igwe (JP), Chairman of the Item Traditional Rulers Council, alongside HRM Eze Silas Okafor Igwe (JP), the Okpi of Item, and other royal fathers.
Religious leaders, including His Grace, Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, Archbishop of Umuahia, also offered prayers for the community and the awardee.
The newly conferred Nwanne Ukwu Di Na Mba of Amaba-Ukwu Item, Abia State, Alhaji Chief Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, congratulated Prof. Arunma Oteh on the well-deserved honour.
He described her as a pride of Item and a shining example of what dedication, integrity and excellence can achieve, noting that her global impact has placed Amaba-Ukwu Item firmly on the world map.
He prayed for greater strength and wisdom for her to continue serving humanity and inspiring future generations.
In her acceptance speech, an emotional Prof. Arunma Oteh expressed profound gratitude to the Item Development Association, the people of Amaba-Ukwu Item, the traditional institution, the Abia State Government and all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the programme.
She pledged to continue projecting the image of her community globally, describing the honour as a renewed call to service.
Prof. Oteh urged sons and daughters of Amaba-Ukwu Item, Abia State and Nigeria at large to embrace courage, resilience and hard work, stressing that “the sky is only the beginning of success for those who dare to dream and work relentlessly.”
She thanked Governor Alex Otti for his support for community development initiatives and commended the leadership of IDA for sustaining the vision of unity, selfless service and progress captured in the association’s motto: “Faith in God and Selfless Service to Our People.”
A Historic Item Day led by Dr. Cyril Onyekachi O. Kalu, President of IDA, and Ambassador Dr. Anthony Chukwudum Okorie, Chairman, Board of Trustees, the 2025 Item Day Celebration has been widely described as historic — not only for honouring one of Item’s most illustrious daughters, but also for reaffirming the community’s commitment to collective development and global relevance.
For many attendees, the celebration was more than an award ceremony; it was a statement of identity, pride and a renewed resolve to build a greater Item for generations yet unborn.
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Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling the sacred responsibility of guiding society
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association has reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling the sacred responsibility of guiding society with wisdom, fairness, and truth.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the 7th Annual General Meeting of the Ilorin Emirate Professors Association (IEPA), in the Kwara State capital city of Ilorin.
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The Guest Lecturer, former Minister of External Affairs and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, delivered a compelling lecture that set the tone for robust discussions on how academia can effectively contribute to good governance at local, national, and global levels.
The AGM had observed that “much of the high-quality research generated within Nigerian universities remains confined to academic journals and library shelves, failing to influence public policy and the socio-political landscape.”
It further revealed that “a significant gap exists between academic institutions and government agencies, limiting the integration of scholarly expertise into governance frameworks and policy formulation.”
“Current university curricula focus primarily on technical proficiency, with insufficient emphasis on democratic governance, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership.”
“Despite Nigeria’s abundant intellectual capital within universities, there is a lack of structured mechanisms to channel academic findings into actionable governance solutions.”
“The academia has often remained disconnected from the practical struggles of citizens and the complexities of statecraft, diminishing its relevance and transformative potential.”
concluding its observation by saying that, “Academics must serve as the “intellectual conscience” of the nation by holding leaders accountable through rigorous data analysis and unbiased research.”
The AGM produced the following recommendations based on the presentations, discussions, and deliberations as follows:
*To Academia* :
Professors and researchers should move beyond theoretical discourse to provide evidence-based solutions to Nigeria’s pressing governance challenges.
Academic institutions must prioritise the mentorship of future leaders, instilling in them ethical standards, patriotic duty, and commitment to good governance.
Universities should reform their curricula to integrate principles of democratic governance, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership, making classrooms “laboratories for democracy.”
Scholars should actively work to translate research findings into actionable policies and governance frameworks that promote accountability, transparency, and inclusive development.
Academics should assume their responsibility as the intellectual conscience of the nation, holding leaders accountable through data-driven analysis and constructive criticism.
To Government and Policymakers:
Government agencies at all levels should establish formal partnerships with universities to tap into academic expertise for policy formulation and implementation.
Increased funding should be provided for research that addresses national development challenges and governance issues.
Government should create institutional frameworks that enable academics to serve as policy advisors and technical consultants in relevant sectors.
To University Administrators:
University management should actively seek partnerships with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and civil society organisations to enhance the relevance of academic work.
Universities should create reward systems that encourage faculty members to undertake research with practical applications to societal challenges.
The Association resolved to “Constitute a committee on “Good Governance and Citizens’ Civic Rights: under the chairmanship of Professor Hassan Saliu. This committee will organise symposiums, forums, town halls, and other platforms for public dialogue on citizenship education, good governance, and national unity.”
“The Association reaffirms its commitment to promoting love, peace, and unity among scholars from the Ilorin Emirate, eschewing divisive tendencies and the pull-him-down syndrome.”
“The Association will establish regular forums for knowledge exchange between academia, government, and the private sector to bridge the knowledge-policy gap.”
“Members of the Association will commit to producing periodic policy briefs on critical national issues for dissemination to relevant government agencies and stakeholders.”
“While advocating for genuine university autonomy, the Association recognises that such autonomy comes with the responsibility to remain relevant to societal needs and challenges.”
“The Association will partner with civil society organisations and government agencies to promote civic education and democratic values across communities in the Ilorin Emirate and beyond”
in conclusion, The Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling the sacred responsibility of guiding society with wisdom, fairness, and truth.
The Association pledges to work assiduously toward bridging the knowledge gap in governance and positioning academia as a functional engine for national transformation and sustainable development.
The Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association held its 7th Annual General Meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State, with the theme “The Roles and Responsibilities of the Academia in Good Governance.” The meeting brought together distinguished scholars, academic leaders, and stakeholders committed to advancing the role of higher education in national development and governance.
The event that was attended by eminent personalities saw the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Balogun Alanamu Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos; the first professor from Ilorin Emirate, Professor Saka Nuru; and other eminent professors of Ilorin Emirate origin from local and foreign universities in attendance.
As part of the AGM activities, a scholarship award was presented to 20 deserving undergraduate students from various universities across the country, from the five local government councils within the Ilorin Emirate, comprising Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Asa, and Moro. Each awardee received a bank cheque of N100,000. This scholarship award has been sustained since its inception in 2022. The presentation was done by the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Balogun Alanamu, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos.
The Association expresses profound gratitude to Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Guest Lecturer, for his insightful and thought-provoking presentation;
Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, Chairman of the Governing Council, Kwara State University, Malete, for chairing the occasion and his wise counsel;
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, for his continued support and patronage of scholarly endeavors;
Professor Saka Nuru, the first professor from Ilorin Emirate and our BOT Chairman, for his support;
And all members, guests, and participants who contributed to the success of the 7th Annual General Meeting.
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