The Federal Government yesterday restated its resolve to prioritise large-scale human capital development as a central pillar of Nigeria’s industrial expansion and long-term economic reforms.

Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, spoke in Abuja at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Stakeholders’ Dialogue Forum and the 2023/2024 Outstanding Trainees Awards.

She said President Bola Tinubu’s economic blueprint places renewed emphasis on building a workforce capable of sustaining the administration’s ambitious $1 trillion GDP target.

Uzoka-Anite noted that the reforms undertaken since the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market have set the stage for an industrial rebound—one that will rely heavily on skilled manpower.

“The true measure of a nation’s wealth lies not beneath the ground but in the minds, hands and hearts of its people,” she said. “As we move into the second phase of reforms, industrial skills will be most needed. The training the ITF is offering has become indispensable.”

She praised the ITF–NECA partnership for consistently driving the Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP), noting that the collaboration has helped close the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements.

The minister highlighted ongoing progress under the Skill Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), a national initiative launched in 2024 to formalise and equip millions of artisans with globally competitive expertise. According to her, more than 100,000 young Nigerians have already enrolled for training in construction, ICT, automotive services, renewable energy and manufacturing.

“SUPA is transforming Nigeria’s artisans into certified professionals while empowering them with entrepreneurship and financial literacy,” she said.

Uzoka-Anite added that the Finance Ministry, in collaboration with other economic ministries, is emphasising:
• Expanded human-capital investment
• Incentives for private-sector apprenticeship and mentorship
• Improved funding models for technical and vocational education
• Access to finance for small businesses and young entrepreneurs

“Government alone cannot solve unemployment,” she said. “Every firm that mentors a young Nigerian and every workshop that trains an apprentice is helping to build a stronger nation.”

Nigeria’s unemployment rate stood at 5.2 per cent in Q1 2025, with youths accounting for nearly two-thirds of that figure.

ITF Director-General Toyin Afiz-Ogun revealed that the TSDP has trained more than 60,000 Nigerians in 16 years, describing the project as proof that public-private partnerships can drive industrial growth.

“Skills are the new currency of national development,” he said.

NECA Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde added that beneficiaries were trained in 35 high-demand trade areas, leading to significant upgrades in several federal technical institutions.

The forum held simultaneously across nine centres nationwide.

The ITF, established in 1971, remains Nigeria’s premier manpower development agency, while NECA serves as the umbrella body for organised private-sector employers.

Both institutions say their continued collaboration under TSDP—and the Federal Government’s SUPA scheme—positions Nigeria for productivity-led growth and sustainable job creation.