Skills, valuable currency in global economy – says ITF D-G

The Director-General (D-G), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun, has said that skills, were now the most valuable currency in the global economy.

Ogun said this on Wednesday in Jos, during the fund’s 2025 interactive forum with the theme entitled “Skills/ a veritable tool for wealth creation”.

The D-G, who was represented by Mr Ameh Etu, ITF’s Director North-Central, buttressed that technical, digital, vocational, entrepreneurial, and creative skills were critical for national development, global competitiveness and individual prosperity.

According to him, when individuals acquire the right skills, they transit from being job seekers to job creators.

Ogun, revealed that the fund through the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, had trained over 129,000 in two years with advanced technical skills, soft skills, and globally recognised certifications.

He said SUPA programme aimed to formalise the artisan sector, improve employability, and position Nigeria’s youth as a skilled workforce for national and international markets.

The D-G, stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, industries, training institutions to nurture talent, facilitate mentorship, and keep curricula market-driven.

“Let us collectively build a nation where the hands of our people are skilled, their minds empowered, their creativity recognised, and their aspirations achievable.

“We must prioritise human capital development to diversify our economy, reduce unemployment, and build a productive, future-ready workforce.” he said.

Similarly, Mrs Mary Igbuv, ITF’s Area Manager, said the interactive forum was an avenue for learning, sharing and interaction.

Our correspondent, reports that a paper entitled “ Skills: A veritable tool for wealth creation” was presented by Mr