Nigeria reinforces its ongoing commitment to TVET

The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally inaugurated the WorldSkills Nigeria Committee. The ceremony in January brought together Ministers and representatives from Nigeria’s government agencies and was another important milestone in the country’s skills journey.

The inauguration reflects Nigeria’s ambition to transform Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and enhance its global competitiveness. By establishing a national committee to support skills excellence, Nigeria is laying the foundations for young people to thrive in the workplace.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the moment as a “historic turning point in Nigeria’s education and workforce agenda.” He used the ceremony to underline the crucial role skills play in economic growth and why the Federal Government champions TVET as a vital option for young people.

He said, “Nigeria’s youth will be inspired to pursue high-quality skills, industries will gain an agile and competitive workforce, and the nation will experience improved productivity, innovation and economic growth.”

Nigeria became the 89th Member of WorldSkills in 2024 and the formation of the WorldSkills Nigeria Committee builds on that momentum. It will oversee Nigeria’s participation in WorldSkills activities, coordinating skills development programmes, and aligning Nigeria’s TVET systems with global standards.

Made up of 15 members, the Committee is chaired by the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed Said. Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, is Vice Chairman and Bashir Datti Amin is Technical Delegate and Secretary.

In his address, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje thanked Yemisi Akinrinade, the driving force behind Nigeria’s membership in WorldSkills. In her response, Yemisi Akinrinade highlighted WorldSkills as a “unique platform linking education, industry and the economy.” She reinforced the need for strong collaboration and sustained national ownership to maximize its impact.

With WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 approaching, the focus now turns to preparing Nigeria’s national Competitors for the 48th WorldSkills Competition. As well as showcasing its national talent, the Committee also sees it as an opportunity to benchmark the country’s skills against the WorldSkills Occupational Standards and to learn from peers worldwide.

David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, says, “We welcome the inauguration of the WorldSkills Nigeria Committee. It demonstrates our shared belief that skills are the building blocks of healthy communities and prosperous economies.”

Learn more about WorldSkills Nigeria and all WorldSkills Members.