The Ministry of Education and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) is set for a strategic partnership aimed at advancing skills development and bridging the gap between education and industry in Nigeria. According to the press release made available to news men by the Director (Press & PR), Folasade Boriowo, the collaboration was initiated during a recent meeting at the Ministry of Education, where Key stakeholders convened to discuss strategies for enhancing the integration of practical skills into formal education.
During this meeting the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman highlighted the essential role of the private sector in Nigeria’s educational landscape. He urged private universities to introduce distinct programs that complement public institutions. The Minister praised the initiative of ACCI International University for its alignment with the goals of providing practical skills and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to promote economic growth. Additionally, Prof. Mamman commended the work of the BEST Centre in promoting skills development, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to integrating practical skills across all educational levels.
Also, Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Minister of State for Education, echoed Prof. Mamman’s sentiments on the importance of securing funds from both public and private sectors to support research and development. He emphasized the necessity of locally utilizing research findings and products to stimulate industrial growth, particularly in the context of combating COVID-19 and improving economic activities.
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of ACCI, reiterated the Chamber’s dedication to enhancing skills training and entrepreneurship through collaboration with the government. He proposed partnerships with the Ministry of Education to foster innovation and investment in educational infrastructure. Chief Obegolu highlighted the establishment of ACCI Continental University as a testament to advancing the goals of AfCFTA.
Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, former President of ACCI, emphasized the need to integrate skills development into the regular university curriculum to create a globally competitive workforce. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the private sector and government in implementing policies that support skills training and entrepreneurship, especially for Nigeria’s youth.
Dr. Atinuke Temitope, Director of the BEST Centre, provided insights into ongoing initiatives focused on skills development. These include vocational training programs certified by NACTE and collaborations with international partners to develop occupational profiles. Dr. Temitope emphasized the Centre’s commitment to gender and disability inclusion in technical vocational education and called for further support to expand these initiatives.
The collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Education and ACCI mark a significant stride towards achieving Nigeria’s socioeconomic development goals. This partnership underscores the importance of public-private cooperation in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. The details of this collaboration were contained in a press release signed by the Director (Press & PR), Folasade Boriowo. Among the attendees at the event were Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman OON, SAN, Minister of State for Education, Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, Former President of ACCI, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, and other members of ACCI.