In a decisive move to enhance industrial productivity and economic diversification through human capital development, the Federal Government has inaugurated a seven-man planning committee for Nigeria’s first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Summit.
The committee, unveiled in Abuja by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, is tasked with organising a groundbreaking summit that will reshape Nigeria’s approach to industrial workforce planning and skill acquisition.
Describing the summit as more than a ceremonial event, Senator Enoh said it would serve as a strategic convergence point for government, industry players, academia, and international partners to collaboratively reimagine Nigeria’s industrial skill development landscape.
“This initiative marks a defining step toward unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s industrial transformation through one of its most vital levers—human capital development,” he said.
He added that the event aligns with the broader objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places premium focus on industrialisation and workforce modernisation across all geopolitical zones of the country.
“The President is clear-eyed in his belief that people are the most precious infrastructure of any nation,” Enoh emphasised.
The summit aims to prioritise skills acquisition, vocational training, and industry-focused manpower growth as foundational pillars for Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
Also speaking at the inauguration, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Mr. Adamson Ayinde, noted that Nigeria stands at a critical economic inflection point where it must diversify away from oil dependence.
“As we strive to reposition the economy for inclusive and sustainable growth, the industrial sector must be underpinned by a competent, adaptable and innovative workforce,” Ayinde said.
He highlighted that the summit will provide a platform to assess current manpower gaps, promote inter-agency collaboration, and foster technological innovation. He also stressed the importance of aligning workforce development strategies with emerging global trends in manufacturing and production.
According to Ayinde, the inaugurated committee has been charged with the responsibility of crafting a comprehensive summit agenda, mobilising key stakeholders, ensuring seamless logistics, and implementing post-summit action plans.
On his part, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Ogun, commended the Federal Government for launching the initiative, describing it as “timely and transformative.”
Dr. Ogun revealed that ITF is currently running the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme, which is aimed at retraining Nigerian artisans and technicians to meet international standards. He reiterated ITF’s commitment to the national drive for skill-based industrialisation and pledged support for the summit’s implementation.
“We have a clear directive from President Tinubu to elevate the competence of our workforce. This summit perfectly aligns with our mandate and will help shape policies to realise Nigeria’s industrial goals,” he said.
The planning committee is expected to deliver a detailed blueprint for the National Industrial Manpower Development Summit within the coming months. While no specific date has been confirmed, ministry officials hinted that the event would be held before the end of Q4 2025.
Stakeholders from the private sector, donor agencies, tertiary institutions, and international development organisations are expected to participate actively, with focus on designing a unified skill framework that matches industry demands and future workforce trends.
As Nigeria aims to reposition itself as a manufacturing hub in Africa, the summit is expected to spark reforms that not only close the skills gap but also elevate Nigeria’s human capital index.