Sixty-two young Nigerians have taken a decisive step from training to trade as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in partnership with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA),
graduated Batch XIV trainees of the ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project in Lagos.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Industrial Skills Training Centre (ISTC), Ikeja, marked the end of six months of intensive classroom and hands-on training, followed by a three-month industrial attachment.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive of ITF, Dr Afiz Ogun, described the graduation as a milestone in the drive to build Nigeria’s skilled workforce from within.
“This is another step towards producing indigenous manpower for the Nigerian economy, as mandated by the Act establishing the ITF,” Ogun said.
He explained that the ITF-NECA project was designed to equip young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills capable of closing the manpower gap in key sectors of the economy.
Commending NECA for sustaining the programme, Ogun said the partnership showed the power of public-private collaboration in tackling unemployment and skills shortages.
“When the public and private sectors work together with a shared vision, the result is relevance, quality and productivity,” he said.
Addressing the graduands, Ogun urged them to see themselves as agents of change.
“Create the country you want to be part of. Bring new ideas, innovations and solutions into industry and help move Nigeria forward,” he said.
He also encouraged them to take advantage of other ITF initiatives, including the Skills-Up Artisans Programme, which aims to train 10 million Nigerians within two years under the Federal Government’s National Talent Export Programme.
In his welcome address, the Training Manager of ISTC, Ikeja, Mr Akeem Salimonu, described the ceremony as more than a celebration.
“This graduation is a testament to collaboration, resilience and vision,” he said, noting that the programme was created to bridge the gap between youth skills and industry needs.
Salimonu disclosed that 804 applications were received for the 2025 intake, out of which only 62 trainees met the criteria for graduation.
“These graduands have proved their competence not just in skill, but in character,” he said.
The trainees received instruction in automobile mechanic maintenance, mechanical maintenance and machining, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, instrumentation and process control, refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as information and communication technology.
Highlighting female participation, Salimonu said the programme continued to break stereotypes.
“We have women among the graduands who have shown that technical skills are not for men alone,” he said.
Delivering the valedictory speech, the Batch XIV representative and best graduating trainee in welding and fabrication, Mr Henry Okwonkwo, said the programme transformed them into job-ready technicians.
“Our training sharpened us with practical skills and real-world experience,” Okwonkwo said, adding that the industrial attachment helped bridge theory and practice.
He expressed gratitude to ITF and NECA for providing free tuition, stipends and job placement support, as well as to their families for standing by them.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of certificates and a charge to the graduands to serve as worthy ambassadors of the ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project.
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