Nigeria Hosts National Industrial Manpower Summit at Presidential Villa, Highlights Training of Over 200,000 Artisans

Tinubu stresses human capital development as senior government officials, diplomats and industry leaders gather in Abuja

National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS) was held from Oct. 15 to 16 at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, bringing together government officials, diplomatic representatives, industrial leaders, financial institutions and traditional rulers to discuss workforce development and industrial transformation.

The summit, jointly organised by the Presidency and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), focused on technical skills development, professional certification, advanced manufacturing, innovation and employment creation.

High Chief Mike Yousuf Ugwu (Zheng Xiaopeng), Chairman of the Africa China Chamber of Commerce Business Forum (ACCBCF) and Chief Executive Officer/Publisher of Africa China News (ACN), attended the summit.

Senior Government Officials, Diplomats and Business Leaders

The summit's announced list of high-level dignitaries and speakers included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Sen. John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry; Dr. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development; and Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, Minister of Steel Development.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea sent a high-level delegation led by his Special Envoy, H.E. Jerónimo Carlos Osa Osa Nzang, Minister of Economy, Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.

Representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in Nigeria, the Lagos State Government and African Union-related institutions were also associated with the summit.

Prominent figures listed from the business and financial sectors included Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group; Cosmas Maduka, founder of Coscharis Group; Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director/CEO of the Bank of Industry; Jude Anele, Managing Director/CEO of Nova Bank; Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria; and Charles Odii, Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Emir of Lafia, traditional leaders from Niger State, the Obong of Calabar and representatives of traditional institutions in Oyo State also featured among the summit's participating or invited institutions and dignitaries.

Tinubu Emphasises Human Capital Development

In his keynote address prepared for the summit, Tinubu described Nigeria's people, rather than its oil and mineral resources, as the country's greatest asset.

He stressed the need to integrate vocational training, industrial investment, enterprise financing and job creation to strengthen Nigeria's manufacturing capacity.

The President cited Nigeria's 4.43 per cent economic growth in the second quarter of 2026 and said the Bank of Industry disbursed approximately N644.9 billion in 2025, supporting an estimated 1.68 million direct, indirect and associated jobs.

ITF Reports Training of Over 200,000 Artisans

The Director-General of ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, disclosed that more than 200,000 artisans had received training under the Skill Up Artisan Programme (SUPA).

He said about 9,000 participants had undergone international certification examinations, while the Fund had established a database of more than 3,000 private training centres nationwide.

Ogun also announced that Nigeria had become the 89th member of WorldSkills International, with a WorldSkills Academy established in Abuja to support internationally recognised technical skills development.

Summit Advances Industrial Workforce Strategy

The Convener of the summit and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Oluwatosin Ayinde, called for stronger industry-led training, structured apprenticeships and credible professional certification.

He identified artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy and digital manufacturing as priority areas for future workforce development.

The summit also examined a proposed 10-year National Industrial Workforce Strategy, an industrial skills financing framework and a National Industrial Manpower Competence Portal and Registry to connect qualified workers with employers.

ACCBCF Explores Africa–China Industrial Cooperation

Ugwu's participation highlighted ACCBCF's interest in expanding Africa–China cooperation in vocational education, technology transfer, advanced manufacturing, industrial training and investment.

ACCBCF is an international business and leadership cooperation platform based in Nigeria, with a growing network across Africa and strong connections with China.

The Forum promotes trade, investment, industrial development and strategic partnerships, including opportunities for joint training programmes, technology transfer and local manufacturing.

The summit provided a platform for strengthening cooperation among government institutions, industry stakeholders and international partners as Nigeria seeks to develop a skilled workforce and improve its industrial competitiveness.