The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has officially inaugurated the Sector Skill Council for Engineering (SSC4E), marking a significant development for Nigeria’s engineering profession. The announcement was made by NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, during the 32nd Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Assembly held recently in Abuja.
Prof. Bugaje described the inauguration as a historic milestone, as the SSC4E joins 19 other sector skill councils already established within Nigeria’s growing skills ecosystem. “Today, we are making history in the development of the engineering profession in Nigeria, with the inauguration of the Sector Skill Council for Engineering,” Bugaje stated.
The SSCs play a vital role in the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). They are industry-led bodies tasked with identifying skill gaps, developing occupational standards, ensuring quality assurance, and issuing certification for those skills through awarding bodies. “Their role within the NSQF cannot be overemphasized,” Bugaje added.
Prof. Bugaje also acknowledged the Vice President’s efforts in fast-tracking the progress of the National Council on Skills (NCS), under which the NSQ operates. He revealed that the NSQ has been admitted into the scheme of service, with a National Skills Fund Act in the pipeline. “We must commend the current Vice President for moving the NCS on a fast track,” he said.
Bugaje raised concerns about the current structure of Nigeria’s engineering workforce, which he described as “upside down” compared to international standards. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the ratio of engineers to technicians and artisans should be 1:5, but Nigeria’s ratio is imbalanced. Bugaje warned that unless this is corrected, the country will continue to rely on imported skilled labor from countries such as Benin, Togo, China, and India for national projects.
The NBTE Executive Secretary emphasized the importance of engaging Nigeria’s large informal sector in formal training programs. He noted that 75% of Nigeria’s economy operates informally, and standardizing the training of informal workers could greatly enhance the nation’s skills base. Bugaje proposed offering NSQ certification and training for master craftsmen as quality assurance assessors, with potential licensing by COREN.
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Bugaje also voiced concerns over the proposed amendment to the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act, which seeks to combine the roles of training providers, awarding bodies, and regulators. He warned that such a move could create chaos within Nigeria’s skills ecosystem.
In his closing remarks, Bugaje congratulated the newly inaugurated members of the SSC for Engineering, expressing confidence in their ability to make significant contributions to Nigeria’s national agenda. “I would like to congratulate the chair and all members of the new SSC4E on their selection to this important national assignment,” he said.
