Abuja – Chairman of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, has pledged to work closely with the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, to strengthen skills development and improve workforce competency in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Onung made the commitment during the official handover of Nigeria’s Sector Skills Councils from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) at the Skills House, ITF headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
The ceremony marked a major milestone in Nigeria’s skills development architecture, bringing to an end years of institutional rivalry between the ITF and the NBTE over the administration of the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). The reforms, facilitated by the Office of the Vice President through the National Council on Skills, clearly delineate the responsibilities of both institutions.
Under the new arrangement, the ITF assumes responsibility for administering the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework, as well as serving as the Secretariat of the National Council on Skills and WorldSkills Nigeria. The NBTE, on the other hand, will focus exclusively on regulating formal technical and vocational education institutions.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, declared that the long-running dispute had been resolved.
“The conflict between NBTE and ITF over the regulation of the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework is over. ITF is now in charge of the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework, while NBTE will limit itself to education and educational institutions,” Bugaje said.
Onung attended the ceremony alongside management staff of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), reaffirming the commitment of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Council to support the successful implementation of the new skills governance framework.
The event attracted key stakeholders in Nigeria’s skills development ecosystem, including ITF Director-General Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, NBTE Executive Secretary Prof. Idris Bugaje, Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of Sector Skills Councils, A. B. Nagode, and representatives of various sector skills councils.
Sector Skills Councils are designed to provide industry leadership by developing occupational standards, aligning training with labour market needs and ensuring that skills acquisition responds to the demands of employers and the broader economy.
The Hospitality and Tourism Skills Council of Nigeria was recently inaugurated by the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade. Chaired by Onung, the council is mandated to drive competency standards, curriculum development, accreditation systems, labour market intelligence and globally recognised certification frameworks for Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Onung said the council would work with the ITF and other stakeholders to ensure that the reforms translate into improved skills, higher professional standards and a globally competitive workforce capable of supporting the growth of Nigeria’s tourism industry.