The Federal Government on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to large-scale human capital development as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial and economic transformation, declaring that the nation’s wealth lies “not beneath the ground but in the minds and hands of its people.”
Speaking at the Industrial Training Fund and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association Stakeholders’ Dialogue Forum and 2023/2024 Outstanding Trainees’ Awards Ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said Nigeria’s long-term prosperity depends on empowering its youthful population through practical, industry-relevant skills.
The minister stressed that Nigeria must ensure its workforce is adequately equipped to harness the new industrial opportunities emerging across various sectors.
She explained that as the country transitions into the second phase of economic reforms, following President Bola Tinubu’s bold moves to remove subsidies on petroleum products and the foreign exchange market, the government expects an industrial boom that will drive growth towards achieving the President’s $1 1tn economy target.
According to her, industrial skills will play a critical role in this phase, making the training programmes offered by the Industrial Training Fund vital to the nation’s economic transformation.
She said, “The true measure of a nation’s wealth lies not beneath the ground but in the minds, hands and hearts of its people. It is the skill, creativity and resilience of citizens that transform natural resources into real prosperity. The ability of a nation to train, equip and empower its people determines not only its productivity.
“But also its capacity to innovate and compete globally to sustain inclusive growth. As you know, I am a very strong advocate for the development of technical skills.
As we move to the second phase of reforms following the first phase, when the President made bold pronouncements by removing the subsidies in petroleum products and FX, we believe that the industrial boom is expected to lead economic growth towards achieving the President’s vision of a $1tn economy. At this point, industrial skills will be most needed, and the training that the ITF is offering is very crucial and essential at this point.”
She praised the collaboration between the ITF and NECA for sustaining the Technical Skills Development Project, describing it as “a shining example of how government and the private sector can work together to solve unemployment, underemployment and the persistent mismatch between classroom learning and workplace needs.”
“In every economy, the most valuable asset is not mineral resources but human capital. The true measure of a nation’s wealth lies not beneath the ground but in the minds, hands and hearts of its people,” Uzoka-Anite said.
Uzoka-Anite, a former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, used the forum to highlight progress made under the Skill Up Artisans Programme, a national skills development scheme launched in 2024 to modernise and formalise millions of Nigerian artisans.
She disclosed that over 100,000 youths have already been enrolled in the initiative, receiving training across critical sectors such as construction, ICT, renewable energy, automotive services and manufacturing.
“SUPA is transforming Nigeria’s artisans into globally competitive professionals. It bridges the gap between informal skills and formal certification while promoting entrepreneurship and financial literacy,” he explained.
The programme, he added, ensures that trainees are not only employable but are also equipped to become job creators, thereby advancing President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1tn economy through industrial expansion and workforce productivity.
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