Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged the National Council on Skills to ensure that made-in-Nigeria products and services remain synonymous with world-class standards.

Mr Shettima made the call while chairing the eighth NCS meeting on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He also implored the council to leverage the restless, inventive spirit of the Nigerian people—evident across streets, schools, and workshops—to power the nation’s ongoing industrial revolution.

Mr Shettima stressed that as the council moves toward inaugurating the National Working Committee for WorldSkills Nigeria, the weight of responsibility extends beyond preparations for Shanghai 2026.

“This effort represents the construction of a bridge to global relevance—whether for an artificial intelligence developer in Lagos’ Silicon Lagoon, a precision machinist in the industrial hubs of Nnewi, or a climate-smart agriculturalist in Benue.

“Our goal is to ensure that Made in Nigeria is synonymous with world-class,” the vice-president added.

He described the National Board for Technical Education and the Industrial Training Fund as two gears of a single engine expected to achieve this goal.

Mr Shettima said both agencies were working towards a single destination, which is the human capital development objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The vice president stated that collaboration, beyond being a best practice, was the only way the council can fulfil its covenant with the Nigerian people.

“As we leave this chamber, remember who we serve. We owe them jobs. We owe them hope. We owe them a future where their skills are their currency. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today,” he said.

The council considered a proposal by Dangote Industries to conduct a one-month “train-the-trainer” programme for 100 candidates across five high-demand skill areas.

The areas are industrial mechanics, industrial electronics, instrumentation, welding and fabrication, and heavy-duty earth-moving equipment operations.

The council commended the initiative and requested updates on progress at subsequent meetings.

(NAN)