The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in collaboration with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), has empowered 62 Nigerian youths with industry-relevant technical skills following the graduation of Batch XIV trainees under the ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project in Lagos.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Industrial Skills Training Centre (ISTC), Ikeja, where beneficiaries received certificates of competence after completing intensive classroom instruction, hands-on training, and industrial attachment across multiple technical fields.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive of ITF, Dr. Afiz Ogun, described the graduation as another step towards building a strong pool of indigenous technical manpower for Nigeria’s economy. He said the programme aligns with ITF’s statutory mandate to address skills gaps and improve employability among Nigerian youths.
According to him, the ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project was designed to equip participants with practical, industry-ready skills that respond directly to the manpower needs of modern industries. He commended NECA for sustaining the partnership, noting that the initiative demonstrates the value of public-private collaboration in tackling unemployment and strengthening industrial productivity.
Ogun urged the graduands to see themselves as agents of change, encouraging them to apply their skills innovatively and contribute meaningfully to national development. He also highlighted other ITF intervention programmes, including the Skills-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), which targets the training of millions of Nigerians in line with the Federal Government’s National Talent Export Programme.
In his welcome address, the Training Manager of ISTC Ikeja, Mr. Akeem Salimonu, said the programme was created to bridge the gap between the skills of young Nigerians and the demands of industry. He noted that ISTC Ikeja has participated in the project for over 15 years and was recently commended by NECA for its role in the 2025 implementation cycle.
Salimonu disclosed that out of 804 applications received for the 2025 intake, 62 trainees successfully met the criteria for graduation. He added that participants received training in areas including automobile mechanic maintenance, mechanical maintenance and machining, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, instrumentation and process control, refrigeration and air conditioning, and information and communication technology.
He also highlighted increased female participation in the programme, noting that women among the graduates demonstrated that technical skills acquisition is not limited by gender.
Delivering the valedictory speech on behalf of the trainees, Batch XIV representative, Mr. Henry Okwonkwo, said the programme equipped participants with sustainable technical skills and real-world experience. He noted that the industrial attachment component helped bridge the gap between theory and practice while fostering self-reliance and job creation.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates and a charge to the graduands to serve as ambassadors of the ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project, using their skills to drive productivity, innovation, and economic growth.
