By Seun Ibiyemi
The Chairman of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, has pledged to work closely with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to strengthen skills development and enhance workforce capacity in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
Onung made the commitment during the formal handover of the National Sector Skills Councils from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to the ITF at the Skills House in Maitama, Abuja.
The event marked the conclusion of years of institutional rivalry between the ITF and NBTE over the administration of Nigeria’s skills development framework and ushered in a new governance structure that clearly delineates the responsibilities of both agencies.
Under the new arrangement, the ITF will oversee the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), the Secretariat of the National Council on Skills and the Secretariat of WorldSkills Nigeria, while the NBTE will concentrate on regulating technical and vocational education institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Onung said the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Council would collaborate with the ITF to improve industry-relevant competencies, develop globally competitive occupational standards and equip the tourism workforce with skills that meet the evolving demands of employers.
He noted that stronger collaboration between industry stakeholders and skills development institutions would be critical to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s tourism sector and creating more employment opportunities.
The ceremony brought together major stakeholders in Nigeria’s skills development ecosystem, including the Director-General of the ITF, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun; the Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Idris Bugaje; Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of Sector Skills Councils, A. B. Nagode; and representatives of the various Sector Skills Councils.
During the event, Bugaje formally announced the end of the long-standing dispute between the ITF and NBTE over the regulation of the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework.
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“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,” he said.
Onung, who recently assumed office as Chairman of the HTSSCN following his inauguration by the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Abisoye Fagade, is leading the council’s efforts to promote competency-based training, curriculum development, accreditation, labour market intelligence and internationally recognised certification standards for Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector.
The HTSSCN is expected to provide industry leadership by ensuring occupational standards remain aligned with labour market demands, supporting the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving growth and competitiveness in the tourism industry.
