The Industrial Training Fund ITF has strengthened Nigeria’s technical workforce with the graduation of 62 young Nigerians under the ITF NECA Technical Skills Development Project in Lagos.
The trainees, who formed Batch XIV of the programme, completed their training at the Industrial Skills Training Centre ISTC Ikeja, where they were presented with certificates after months of classroom learning, practical workshops, and industrial attachment.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the Director General and Chief Executive of ITF, Dr Afiz Ogun, said the initiative reflects the Fund’s ongoing commitment to closing Nigeria’s skills gap and improving youth employability.
According to him, the ITF NECA Technical Skills Development Project focuses on producing industry ready technicians whose skills meet the actual needs of Nigerian industries. He explained that strengthening local technical capacity is essential for economic growth, productivity, and reduced dependence on foreign expertise.
Dr Ogun praised the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association NECA for sustaining its long standing partnership with ITF, describing the collaboration as a practical example of how public and private institutions can work together to address unemployment.
He urged the graduates to see their new skills as tools for impact, encouraging them to apply what they have learned creatively, whether as employees, entrepreneurs, or trainers of others. He also highlighted other ITF interventions, including the Skills Up Artisans Programme SUPA, which aligns with the Federal Government’s National Talent Export Programme.
Earlier in his address, the Training Manager of ISTC Ikeja, Mr Akeem Salimonu, said the project was created to bridge the gap between the skills young Nigerians possess and what industries actually require.
He noted that ISTC Ikeja has participated in the programme for more than 15 years and was recently recognised by NECA for its role in the 2025 training cycle.
Salimonu disclosed that over 800 applications were received for the 2025 intake, out of which 62 trainees successfully completed all requirements for graduation. The training covered technical areas such as automobile maintenance, mechanical machining, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, instrumentation and process control, refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as information and communication technology.
He also pointed out the growing participation of women in the programme, stressing that the performance of female trainees further proves that technical skills acquisition is open to all, regardless of gender.
Delivering the valedictory speech on behalf of the graduating class, Batch XIV representative Mr Henry Okwonkwo said the programme provided participants with practical skills and real industry exposure. He explained that the industrial attachment component helped prepare trainees for real work environments while encouraging self reliance and job creation.
The event ended with the presentation of certificates and a call on the graduates to represent the ITF NECA Technical Skills Development Project positively by using their skills to support innovation, productivity, and national development.
