Idara Jerome
Chairman of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising technical and vocational skills development, describing the administration’s reforms as a bold step towards building a globally competitive workforce.
Onung gave the commendation on Monday in Abuja following the formal handover of the Sector Skills Councils by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) during a ceremony at the Skills House, Maitama.
He said the transfer marks a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to make skills acquisition more industry-driven and responsive to the needs of the economy, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sector.
According to him, placing the councils under the ITF will deepen collaboration among employers, training institutions and government agencies, while ensuring that occupational standards and training programmes are aligned with labour market demands.
“The transfer of the Sector Skills Councils to the ITF is a welcome development. It will strengthen industry participation in skills development and produce a workforce that is better equipped for the realities of the hospitality and tourism sector.”
Onung, who also serves as Honorary Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Culture and Tourism and Chairman of Experience Ibom, said President Tinubu deserves recognition for placing practical skills acquisition, workforce development and industry certification at the centre of the country’s economic reform agenda.
He noted that strengthening technical skills would not only improve service delivery in the hospitality and tourism industry but also create employment opportunities for young Nigerians and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.
The tourism sector leader also applauded the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, for his commitment to strengthening the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council and advancing capacity development across the industry.
The handover ceremony attracted major stakeholders in Nigeria’s technical and vocational education and training ecosystem, including the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun; Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje; Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of Sector Skills Councils, A. B. Nagode; chairmen of the various Sector Skills Councils; and other industry leaders.
The Sector Skills Councils are responsible for developing National Occupational Standards, identifying industry skills requirements and promoting quality assurance in skills training. Their transfer to the ITF is expected to strengthen industry-led skills development and produce a workforce better equipped to meet the demands of Nigeria’s evolving economy.