Shettima tasks skills council on world-class ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ products at 8th meeting

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged the National Council on Skills (NCS) to ensure that Made-in-Nigeria products and services meet world-class standards, leveraging Nigerians’ inventive spirit to drive the nation’s industrial revolution.

He gave the charge on Thursday while chairing the 8th NCS meeting at the Presidential Villa, according to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha. The Vice President urged members—drawn from federal ministries, state governments, and the private sector—to harness the “restless, inventive spirit of the Nigerian people—evident across streets, schools, and workshops”.

He emphasised that as the council prepares to inaugurate the National Working Committee for WorldSkills Nigeria ahead of the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai 2026, the responsibility goes beyond event preparations. “This effort represents the construction of a bridge to global relevance—whether for an AI developer in Lagos’ Silicon Lagoon, a precision machinist in the industrial hubs of Nnewi, or a climate-smart agriculturist in Benue,” Shettima stated.

“Our goal is to ensure that Made in Nigeria is synonymous with world-class,” the vice president added.

Shettima highlighted the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) as “two gears of a single engine” aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for human capital development. He stressed collaboration as essential, declaring it “beyond being a best practice… the only way the council can fulfil its covenant with the Nigerian people.”

“As we leave this chamber, remember who we serve. We owe them jobs. We owe them hope. We owe them a future where their skills are their currency. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today,” he said.

The council reviewed a memo on Nigeria’s participation in WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and endorsed a proposal from Dangote Industries for a one-month “train-the-trainer” programme targeting 100 candidates in high-demand skills: industrial mechanics, industrial electronics, instrumentation, welding and fabrication, and heavy-duty earth-moving equipment operations. It commended the initiative and requested progress updates at future meetings.

Dignitaries present included Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani; Minister of Education Tunji Alausa; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Industry John Enoh; Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Dangiwa; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Ibrahim Hadejia; and a Dangote Foundation representative.