The Federal Government has inaugurated the WorldSkills Nigeria National Team Committee, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s renewed commitment to skills development, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), youth empowerment and global competitiveness.
Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, described the development as a historic turning point in Nigeria’s education and workforce agenda, following the country’s admission into WorldSkills International as its 89th member after over a decade of sustained engagement.
Dr. Alausa underscored the central role of practical skills in driving modern economies, noting that Nigeria’s long-standing overemphasis on white-collar education had contributed to unemployment, skills mismatch and inequality. He stressed that nations recording sustainable growth invested first in skills, manufacturing and infrastructure, adding that Nigeria was decisively reclaiming that path.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s youths remain eager to acquire practical and relevant competencies but have often lacked access and opportunity. He stated that the Federal Government has now prioritised skills development as a core pillar of national growth, positioning TVET as a first-choice pathway rather than a fallback option.
He explained that Nigeria’s admission into WorldSkills International in 2024 was the culmination of more than a decade of strategic collaboration and alignment with global best practices since 2013, involving the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), federal and state TVET institutions, Sector Skills Councils, industry partners and committed individuals.
Dr. Alausa described WorldSkills Nigeria as more than international membership, but a national commitment to excellence, global benchmarking and future workforce readiness. Through the platform, he said, Nigerian youths would be inspired to pursue high-quality skills, industries would gain an agile and competitive workforce, and the nation would experience improved productivity, innovation and economic growth.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s full institutional support, the Minister assured the newly inaugurated committee of strong policy backing, describing WorldSkills Nigeria as a flagship programme for youth empowerment and industrial development.
The 15-member WorldSkills Nigeria National Team Committee is chaired by the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed Said, with the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, as Vice Chairman. Engr. Bashir Datti Amin serves as the Technical Delegate and Secretary, while members are drawn from relevant government agencies and the private sector.
In his welcome address, Prof. Bugaje traced Nigeria’s challenging but determined journey to WorldSkills membership, describing it as an audacious effort sustained by resilience and shared vision. He paid special tribute to Mrs. Yemisi Akinrinade, fondly referred to as the “mother of skills,” for her tireless advocacy since 2013 and her personal support toward Nigeria’s initial membership obligations.
Mrs. Akinrinade, in her remarks, highlighted WorldSkills as a unique platform linking education, industry and the economy, providing global standards for TVET delivery, teacher training, research and workforce readiness. She emphasised the need for strong collaboration and sustained national ownership to maximise its impact.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Engr. S. M. Yusuf expressed appreciation to the Minister and all stakeholders, noting that the decade long aspiration had materialised at a critical moment for Nigeria. He pledged the committee’s commitment to delivering measurable outcomes and announced plans for a formal national launch of WorldSkills Nigeria.
The inauguration of the WorldSkills Nigeria National Team Committee represents a decisive step in building a skilled, productive and globally competitive Nigerian workforce one where talent is nurtured, skills are celebrated and excellence becomes the national standard.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
