ITF takes over skills councils as Onung backs new tourism workforce reform
By Maureen Aguta
The Chairman of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN), 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 workforce capacity in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry following a major restructuring of the country’s vocational skills framework.
Onung made the commitment in Abuja during the formal handover of the National Sector Skills Councils from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to the ITF, a move that ends years of institutional rivalry over the administration of Nigeria’s skills development system.
The ceremony, held at the ITF Skills House in Maitama, marked the implementation of reforms championed by the Office of the Vice President through the National Council on Skills, which clearly delineate the responsibilities of the two agencies.
Under the new arrangement, the ITF assumes responsibility for administering the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), the Secretariat of the National Council on Skills and the Secretariat of WorldSkills Nigeria. The NBTE, on the other hand, will focus solely on regulating technical and vocational education institutions.
Speaking after the event, Onung described the transition as a significant step towards creating an industry-driven skills ecosystem capable of producing globally competitive professionals for Nigeria’s tourism sector.
He said the HTSSCN would work closely with the ITF to improve occupational standards, competency-based training and certification frameworks that align with international best practices and the evolving needs of employers.
“The hospitality and tourism industry depends on skilled manpower. This new framework provides an opportunity for stronger collaboration between government and industry to develop a workforce that can compete globally,” Onung said.
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.
The Sector Skills Councils serve as industry-led platforms responsible for developing occupational standards, identifying labour market needs and ensuring that vocational training remains responsive to employers’ requirements.
Addressing participants, Bugaje declared an end to the long-running disagreement between the NBTE and ITF over the regulation of the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework.
“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. They are regulated on the overall, while NBTE will limit itself to education and educational institutions,” he said.
The HTSSCN, chaired by Onung, was recently inaugurated by the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, with the mandate to drive competency standards, curriculum development, accreditation systems, labour market intelligence and internationally recognised certification frameworks for Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
Industry stakeholders believe the new governance structure will eliminate regulatory overlaps, improve coordination among agencies and accelerate the development of a skilled workforce required to support economic diversification, job creation and the growth of Nigeria’s tourism sector.