WorldSkills welcomes Nigeria as its 89th Member

WorldSkills enjoyed another significant milestone today with the announcement that Nigeria will become its 89th Member. WorldSkills Nigeria is the third country from Africa to join in the last three months and is an exciting addition to a growing WorldSkills community.

Nigeria’s National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) was granted associate membership and named its Official Delegate as Suleiman M Yusuf, Director of Vocational, Technical, and Skills Development, NBTE. The Technical Delegate will be Bashir Datti, Head of Technical Trades Division, NTBE. Nigeria’s National Board will be supported in its endeavours by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The new Member was officially welcomed at WorldSkills General Assembly 2024 which took place today in Lyon, just two days before the start of WorldSkills Competition 2024. At the General Assembly, WorldSkills Nigeria was invited to the stage to share more about its national strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Representatives from Nigeria presented alongside those from the Democratic of the Republic of Congo and Ethiopia, who also became WorldSkills Members earlier this year. All three use the meeting to outline their goals and the value they hope to contribute to the WorldSkills community.

Addressing WorldSkills Members at WorldSkills General Assembly 2024, Dr Ahmed Bolaji Nagode, Chair of the Committee of the Sector Skills Council, described how Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa and a population of nearly 224 million, of which 63 million are youth.

He said, “Skills are recognized as a national priority and there is high political will to strengthen TVET and establish a regulatory framework through the NTBE. We have an opportunity develop a demand-led TVET system and rebrand skills as an attractive career. WorldSkills fits in by elevating skills training to global standards, strengthening stakeholder collaborations, enhancing the quality of skills delivery, building capacity among trainers and institutions, and promoting skills and changing perceptions.” 

He finished by saying, “I want to thank you for this opportunity and we look forward to working seriously to make our presence felt in WorldSkills.” 

The three new Members will be using their visit to Lyon to gain valuable insights into WorldSkills Competition and to learn more about WorldSkills Occupational Standards. They will then take these insights back to their countries as they plan their own national competitions and prepare for WorldSkills Africa Livingstone 2025 which is taking place from 7 to 12 April 2025 in Livingstone, Zambia.

Find out more about WorldSkills Members.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024

WorldSkills Lyon 2024, 10 to 15 September, is the world’s largest international skills competition, featuring 1,400 Competitors from almost 70 countries and regions. The 47th WorldSkills Competition showcases excellence in young skilled talent, while also bringing industry, education, and government leaders together to move skills to the top of the global agenda. WorldSkills is highlighting the critical role skills play in addressing global challenges, boosting economies and industries, and promoting excellence.