Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has expressed strong appreciation for the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and its relentless dedication to enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across Nigeria. He particularly praised the establishment of the Creative Media Sector Skills Council as a significant milestone.
During a meeting at his Abuja office on Tuesday, the Minister received the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, alongside members of the newly formed Creative Media Sector Skills Council, acknowledging their collaborative efforts.
“It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation. I applaud the NBTE for its unwavering commitment to advancing TVET in Nigeria, especially through initiatives like the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework,” the Minister remarked.
He further expressed enthusiasm about the launch of the Creative Media Sector Skills Council, highlighting its role in uniting prominent private sector stakeholders and public institutions to bridge the skills gap within one of Nigeria’s most vibrant economic sectors.
The Minister characterized the Council as a transparent and empowering platform that elevates practitioners and improves the quality of minister-over-alleged-sack-of-varsities-vcs/” title=”Reps invite education … over alleged sack of varsities’ VCs”>media-innovations-get-the-scoop/” title=”Konga103.7FM Ignites Industry Buzz at MIPAN with Groundbreaking … Innovations | Get the Scoop”>media production. He noted that while the creative media industry is rich in talent, it often lacks formal mechanisms for skill recognition, certification, and alignment with industry benchmarks.
“From our perspective at the Ministry, the benefits are clear. Certified and well-trained media professionals will enhance the quality of broadcast content, promote media literacy, counteract misinformation, and project a positive image of Nigeria both domestically and internationally. Your efforts directly support our mission to disseminate credible, ethical, and professional information,” he added.
He assured both NBTE and the Creative Media Sector Skills Council of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate closely in developing pathways that integrate occupational standards across digital services, creative media, photography, cinematography, and related fields into mainstream broadcasting and information dissemination.
The Minister also emphasized how this initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting, “Skills and technology development are among the eight priority pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda. The progress made by NBTE and other government bodies is a testament to this commitment.”
Highlighting the administration’s focus on youth empowerment, he referenced the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which supports tuition and stipends for over 500,000 tertiary students nationwide, providing significant relief to families across Nigeria.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu envisions a Nigeria where the creative and broadcast media workforce is globally competitive, nationally certified, and plays a vital role in job creation, economic advancement, and fostering national unity.
In his address, Professor Bugaje underscored the significance of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, designed to formally certify individuals who have gained skills through informal training, such as apprentices in media and broadcasting, by awarding them nationally recognized NSQ certificates.
Hajiya Fatima, representing the Creative Media Sector Skills Council, highlighted that over 70% of the Council’s membership comes from the private sector, ensuring that skill development is driven by industry standards and aligned with international best practices.
