The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has commended the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for its commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria, with a particular focus on the creative media sector.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Bugaje, and members of the newly inaugurated Creative Media Sector Skills Council to his office in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister lauded the Board’s role in establishing the Council as part of the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework.
“I wish to commend NBTE for its tireless efforts in advancing TVET in Nigeria,” Idris said.
“The inauguration of the Creative Media Sector Skills Council is a timely initiative that brings together key private sector players and public institutions to address the skills gap in one of the most dynamic sectors of our economy.”
The Minister described the Council as a “transparent system” that empowers media practitioners and enhances the quality of media output across the country.
He noted that while the creative media sector is rich in talent, many professionals lack structured pathways for skills recognition and certification.
“For us in the Ministry, the synergy is clear,” he added.
“Well-trained and certified media professionals will raise the standard of our broadcast content, strengthen media literacy, combat misinformation, and project Nigeria’s image positively both at home and abroad.”
Idris assured the Council of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate closely in integrating occupational standards in areas such as digital services, photography, cinematography, and other creative disciplines into the broader broadcast and information ecosystem.
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He emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the focus on skills and technology development, which is among the eight priority areas of the administration.
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“The impact of the NBTE’s work and that of other government agencies shows that the Renewed Hope Agenda is working,” he said.
Highlighting the administration’s focus on youth empowerment, the Minister cited the success of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has supported over 500,000 students in tertiary institutions with tuition and stipends.
“President Tinubu’s vision is for a Nigeria where the creative and broadcast media workforce is globally competitive, nationally certified, and contributes meaningfully to job creation, economic growth, and national unity,” he stated.
In his remarks, NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Bugaje, underscored the importance of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme, which aims to certify informally trained professionals, including apprentices in media and broadcasting, with nationally recognized qualifications.
Also speaking, a representative of the Creative Media Sector Skills Council, Hajiya Fatima, highlighted the Council’s private-sector-led approach, noting that more than 70% of its members are from the private sector, in line with global best practices.
Dignitaries present at the event included Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Chinasa Ogbodo; Director General of the NTA, Malam Abdulhameed Dembos; Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama; Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo; and Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali.
