Nigeria is set to take a commanding position in the global labour market as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) forge a powerful alliance to export highly skilled young artisans to international destinations where their expertise is urgently needed.
The initiative, which targets artisans aged 35 and below, represents a historic breakthrough in human capital development and is poised to reposition Nigeria as a dominant supplier of skilled manpower to the world.
Director General of the ITF, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, made the announcement during an inspection of trainees undergoing final certification examinations at the Larne Shittu Motors Training Centre in Abuja. Ogun stressed that successful candidates will not only be licensed but also certified under a Federal Government–endorsed scheme, granting them global recognition as professionals of international repute.
“This partnership marks a turning point for Nigeria,” Ogun declared emphatically. “We are transforming our young artisans into world-class professionals whose skills will command respect anywhere in the world. This is not just training — it is nation-building, foreign exchange generation, and global competitiveness rolled into one. Nigeria is now poised to export skill, excellence, and resilience to the international market.”
The ITF boss further explained that NACCIMA’s extensive global network of trade fairs, bilateral chambers, and multinational commercial platforms would be harnessed to strategically place Nigerian artisans in countries experiencing critical labour shortages.
Echoing this commitment, President of NACCIMA, Jani Ibrahim, pledged that NACCIMA Global would spearhead the worldwide promotion and facilitation of the programme. He affirmed that NACCIMA will leverage its international influence to secure opportunities for Nigerian youth across continents, ensuring they are positioned as global players.
“This is a new chapter in Nigeria’s economic history,” Ibrahim asserted. “Through this collaboration, we will showcase the brilliance, tenacity, and creativity of Nigerian youth. The world will see our artisans not as migrants, but as world-class professionals — exported with pride, backed by certification, and guaranteed by Nigeria’s reputation.”
Analysts predict that the ITF–NACCIMA programme will significantly curb unemployment, strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export profile, and establish the country as a global hub for technical expertise. It also resonates strongly with the Federal Government’s economic diversification strategy, which prioritises skills development and human capital export as engines of sustainable growth.
With this bold move, Nigeria is not just training artisans — it is branding its youth as premium talent for the global stage, transforming the nation into a formidable exporter of human capital.
